WNBA Star Brittney Griner Opens Up About Harrowing Detention in Russia: A Tale of Mistakes, Survival, and Advocacy

WNBA star Brittney Griner has disclosed the daunting ordeal she faced during her months-long detention in Russia, shedding light on the “mistake” that led to her receiving a nine-year prison sentence. In an exclusive interview airing on ABC’s “20/20” tonight at 10 p.m. ET, Griner shared her inner turmoil with “GMA” co-anchor Robin Roberts.

The saga began on February 17, 2022, when Griner, a distinguished athlete with two Olympic gold medals and nine WNBA All-Star appearances to her name, was apprehended at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Khimki. Authorities accused her of carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, a substance prohibited in Russia.

Reflecting on the incident, Griner admitted to a “mental lapse” triggered by the rush of packing in panic mode due to waking up late on the morning of her travel to Russia. “My packing at that moment was just throwing all my stuff in there and zipping it up and saying, ‘OK, I’m ready,'” she recounted.

The realization of her oversight struck when security searched her luggage at the airport, uncovering the forgotten cartridges. “I’m just like, ‘Oh, my God.’ Like, ‘How did I– how did I make this mistake?’” Griner lamented, envisioning her hard-earned achievements slipping away.

Following her arrest, Griner’s trial faced multiple delays until she pleaded guilty to drug charges on July 7, 2022, asserting that the cartridges were inadvertently packed. Despite her plea, she was sentenced to nine years in prison on August 4, 2022, with an unsuccessful appeal filed later that year.

Griner detailed the grim conditions she endured in prison, including scarcity of basic necessities like toilet paper and expired toothpaste. She recalled using the expired toothpaste to combat black mold on the walls and described sleeping on a blood-stained mattress with only two thin sheets, laid over cold, hard bars.

Subsequently transferred to a penal colony in Mordovia, Griner faced brutal winters and health repercussions, prompting her to cut off her dreadlocks to stave off illness caused by freezing temperatures and unsanitary conditions.

Throughout her ordeal, Griner’s family, notably her wife Cherelle Griner, and fellow athletes advocated fiercely for her release. Their efforts, coupled with pressure on the White House, resulted in her freedom on December 8, 2022, following a prisoner swap agreement.

Griner’s liberation didn’t shield her from the guilt she felt, acknowledging that she had let down herself, her family, and her teams. Despite her relief at being released, she expressed disappointment that others, like Paul Whelan, remained detained.

Since her return, Griner has become an outspoken advocate for Americans wrongfully detained abroad, vowing to utilize her platform to aid in their release. In an impassioned Instagram post, she thanked those who championed her cause and urged continued efforts to bring all Americans home.