Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia after her arrest for being in possession of hashish oil, which is illegal in the country. The WNBA standout was arriving on a flight from NYC last month in Moscow when officials found the vape cartridges containing cannabis in her luggage. That being said, she could be facing up to 10 years in prison because of it, but the United States is doing everything imaginable to get Griner out of Russia amid their attacks on Ukraine.

This is what US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had to say about the Brittney Griner situation. Via ESPN:

“There's only so much I can say given the privacy considerations at this point,” Blinken said of Griner. “Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we of course stand ready to provide every possible assistance, and that includes in Russia.”

“We have an embassy team that's working on the cases of other Americans who are detained in Russia,” he added. “We're doing everything we can to see to it that their rights are upheld and respected.”

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
WNBA, Mercury star Diana Taurasi stands next to soon-to-be fever guard Caitlin Clark

Christopher Smith ·

Mercury center Brittney Griner, with Mercury logo.

Benjamin Adducchio ·

WNBA player Kahleah Copper, in a Phoenix Mercury jersey, with the city of Phoenix, Arizona, in the background

Erin Achenbach ·

Brittney Griner has played her offseason ball in Russia since 2015. The US issued a “do not travel” advisory on January 23rd because of the turmoil between them and Ukraine, but Griner decided to go anyway. The 31-year-old has played in the WNBA for nine years, all for the Mercury. Let's hope the States can get her out of the country ASAP.