WNBA star Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia since Feb. 17.
Her arrest, incarceration and the fight to bring her home has triggered extensive questions The Times asked an array of experts to help answer.
Why was Brittney Griner detained by Russia?
On Feb.17, just before the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Griner was en route to join her club in Ekaterinburg after a FIBA team break when Russian officials took Griner into custody at a Moscow airport and charged her with drug smuggling. Authorities say they found vape cartridges containing hashish oil, an illegal substance in Russia, in Griner's luggage. Some national security analysts question whether Griner was actually carrying the vape cartridges, suggesting the charge has yet to be proved. Under Russian law, Griner could face up to 10 years in prison. On June 14, Griner's detention was extended a third time to July 2, and it's unclear when she will face trial.
Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi have been linked for more than two decades, playing together at UConn and then helping the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team win five gold medals.
A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and the rest of the WNBA All-Stars wore Brittney Griner’s name and her No. 42 on the back of their jerseys for the second half of Team Wilson’s 134-112 victory over Team Stewart.
LeBron James is publicly criticizing the United States’ handling of WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner’s case in a trailer for an upcoming episode of his television show: “The Shop: Uninterrupted.”
The Kremlin warned Thursday that a possible prisoner swap with the United States involving American basketball star Brittney Griner needs to be negotiated quietly without fanfare.
