Credit: Twitter
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, Brittney Griner was finally released on Thursday from the Russian prison after 294 days of her captivity. Basketball superstars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, Magic Johnson and others showed their content with the news about Griner to be reunited with her family at last.
The US President Joe Biden on Thursday took to his official Twitter handle and confirmed the release of Brittney Griner from the Russian jail. He wrote, "Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home."
NBA superstars react on Griner's release
While speaking with longtime friend and business partner Maverick Carter over a video conference, Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James said, "I think it's a great day. For us as Americans, I think having BG back, in the sports world, just having her family's back, I know her wife misses her and her family misses her, her club misses her here in Phoenix.
He added, "To have her a part of the basketball brother and sisterhood, it's a big day for us and what we do. Kudos to the president, kudos to Kamala Harris and everyone that had something to do with it."
Ahead of the Sports Illustrated awards 2022, Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry said, "Shoutout to President Biden and his administration, and all the athletes, activists, people who used their platform to speak on her behalf."
Curry was awarded with the 2022 Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year and after receiving the award he said, "We are glad she's home, we're glad she's reunited with her family... BG, we love you. We thank you for your sacrifice and your continued perseverance and patience to get through this process, and hope you enjoy reuniting with your family. We are always with you BG."
NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, players and staff of the NBA franchise, Phoenix Suns and Griner's team Phoenix Mercury also showed their delight on her release.
In February this year, Griner was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport when two vape cartridges containing small amounts of cannabis oil were found in her luggage. Later on Thursday, Griner was released from Russia in a highly anticipated prisoner swap that forced the US to release Viktor Bout, who is a Russian arms dealer.