Brittney Griner, a prominent WNBA star, has been at the center of various controversies throughout her career. In 2020, she faced criticism for stating that the national anthem should not be played before professional sports games. In 2022, she was mistakenly detained in Russia for nine months due to a cannabis vaporizer found in her luggage.
Contrary to recent reports claiming she is leaving the United States, Griner has expressed gratitude towards her home country for securing her release. She even teared up during the national anthem after winning gold with the U.S. women’s basketball team in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The false claims originate from the Basketball Daily News Facebook account, which falsely quoted Griner as saying she was leaving the U.S. to join a Russian women’s basketball team. These claims have been debunked, as Griner has only represented the U.S. internationally and has no plans to leave the country for basketball.
Griner’s ordeal in Russia, where she was wrongly detained and sentenced to prison for drug smuggling charges, ended with a prisoner swap in December 2022. Since her return, she has emphasized her appreciation for the U.S. and her commitment to representing her country in basketball.
