Greiner is writing a book about her captivity time in Russia

Brittney Greiner was arrested last year at the airport in Moscow on drug-related charges and imprisoned for nearly ten months. Her case spread publicly when Russia invaded Ukraine and deepened further tensions between Russia and the U.S., completed only after she was released in exchange for the notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The WNBA star prepares to publish a book in the spring of 2024 detailing her nearly 10-month stint in prison after a drug arrest, and publisher Alfred A. Knopf shared her statement.

Britney Greiner’s book

“Readers will read my story and understand why I am so grateful for the support I have received from people worldwide. By writing this book, I also hope to raise awareness about other Americans who are wrongfully imprisoned abroad,” Greiner wrote in a public statement.

BASKETBALL:

Greiner was arrested in February 2022 after Russian police found cannabis oil in her luggage at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow. The Phoenix player said it was her fault and pleaded guilty to drug possession in July last year.

She was sentenced to nine years in prison but returned to the U.S. in December after finally being exchanged for the Russian arms dealer.

“I arrived in Moscow to rejoin the UGMK Yekaterinburg basketball team and was immediately detained at the airport,” Greiner said, adding, “That day (in February) was the beginning of an unfathomable period in my life which only now am I ready to share. The primary reason I traveled back to Russia for work that day was because I wanted to make my wife, family, and teammates proud.”

According to the publisher, her memoir, still without a title, will also have a co-author.

Greiner, 2.06 meters tall, is an eight-time WNBA All-Star, 2014 WNBA champion with Phoenix Mercury, and a winner of two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women’s basketball team.