Last month, WNBA star Brittney Griner was finally released after nearly 10 months in Russian custody following a conviction on drug charges and a surprising nine-year prison sentence in a Russian penal colony where she likely faced very harsh and unjust conditions before she was finally released as part of a controversial prisoner swap. Griner has not made many public appearances since her release, but that changed this week when she made a surprise appearance at an MLK Day Festival in Phoenix, Arizona.
During the festival, Brittney Griner took photos with fans and expressed that she’s happy to be home after her long stint in a Russian prison. It was her first public appearance since she returned home from her captivity, and people were very happy to see her adjusting back to normalcy after such a traumatic experience.
People had plenty to say about the fantastic news.
HAPPY TO BE HOME: @PhoenixMercury star @brittneygriner makes appearance at #AZMLK Festival in Phoenix.
BG posed for pictures with fans.
Talked about being Houstonians.
Says she’s happy to be home after time in Russian prison.#News #AZ #BG42 #Hoops #WNBA pic.twitter.com/G2ocB8fEqO
— Jonathan McCall (@JonathanMcCall) January 16, 2023
“HAPPY TO BE HOME: @PhoenixMercury star @brittneygriner makes appearance at #AZMLK Festival in Phoenix. BG posed for pictures with fans. Talked about being Houstonians. Says she’s happy to be home after time in Russian prison,” Jonathan McCall of 12News said in a tweet.
Happy to see BG out and about ♥️ #wearebg #bgfree https://t.co/yRUoStLZLa
— WomensBasketball247 (@womensbball247) January 17, 2023
“Happy to see BC out and about,” Women’s Basketball 247 said with a heart emoji in a tweet.
It’s so great to see @brittneygriner getting back in the community after everything she’s been through. #BG42 https://t.co/jYFQ5ord7v
— Matt Napolitano (@MattNapolitano) January 17, 2023
“It’s so great to see @brittneygriner getting back in the community after everything she’s been through,” Fox News radio reporter Matt Napolitano said in a tweet.
Awww, this made my day🥰 https://t.co/wT6nVztC0K
— Gina Obewan (@SmilinChica) January 17, 2023
“Awww, this made my day,” Phoenix Mercury fan Gina Obewan said in a tweet.
Things are looking up for Griner after nearly a year when she was falsely imprisoned overseas. She is going to be the subject of a new comic book, was recently named the Arizonan of the Year, and plans to play for the Phoenix Mercury this season.
