Now that she’s back in the U.S.A., what has Brittney Griner said about her future with the Phoenix Mercury?
Now back in the U.S.A. Griner has already begun to focus on her return to the place where she became a star, the baketball court.
With her ordeal finally behind her, the WNBA star has now indicated that she will in fact return to the court once she’s completed her process of rest and recovery. Needless to say, there are many who are happy to hear that.
Brittney Griner will return to Phoenix Mercury in 2023
Having spent the large majority of this year in a Russian prison, Brittney Griner is finally back where she belongs in the U.S.A., her home. Of course, it’s now been a week since she touched down on American soil, following a prisoner exchange which involved notorious Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout and as things stand, Griner has already turned her attention to the thing we all know her for, basketball. In her first public statement since arriving home in the U.S., Griner said she will return to the court for the Phoenix Mercury next season.
In a lengthy statement which she posted on Instagram - see above - Griner thanked all those involved in securing her freedom from a Russian penal colony, before finally confirming that she will be back with the Mercury when the next WNBA season tips off in May 2023. “I also want to make one thing very clear: I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon,” Griner wrote.
The Phoenix Mercury have reason to celebrate
It goes without saying that this is big news for the Mercury. Obviously, the most important thing is Griner’s well-being and safety. On the other hand, the last time she was with the team she had an All-Star season with an average of 20.5 points per game, along with 9.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.9 blocks. Now that fellow star Skylar Diggins-Smith is pregnant and as such will miss some or potentially all of the coming season, those kinds of stats are needed more than ever. It’s also worth mentioning, that it wasn’t all about basketball as Griner again expressed her immense gratitude for the support she received during her terrible experience in Russia.
“It feels so good to be home!” Griner wrote in part of her post. “The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.”
Brittney Griner also address Paul Whelan’s situation
Interestingly, Griner also spoke of the situation which fellow American Paul Whelan faces in Russia and her intention to help in any way she can to bring him home. Whelan, a retired U.S. Marine, has been in Russian custody for almost four years after being convicted on espionage charges, which the American government has called false. “President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too,” Griner wrote. “I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you. I also encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole.”