What Happened to Brittney Griner?
Brittney Griner, a prominent WNBA star, endured a nearly 10-month detainment in Russia in 2022 on drug charges, which concluded with a high-profile prisoner swap. Since her release, she has returned to the WNBA, playing for the Phoenix Mercury, then the Atlanta Dream in 2025, and is currently with the Connecticut Sun for the 2026 season, embracing a new veteran leadership role.
Quick Answer
Brittney Griner was detained in Russia in February 2022, convicted of drug smuggling, and sentenced to nine years in prison before being released in a prisoner exchange in December 2022. She returned to the WNBA, playing for the Phoenix Mercury in 2023, the Atlanta Dream in 2025, and signed a one-year deal with the Connecticut Sun for the 2026 season. As of May 2026, she is preparing for her 13th WNBA season with the Sun, taking on a veteran leadership role, with the team expected to relocate to Houston in 2027.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Detained in Russia
Brittney Griner was detained at Sheremetyevo International Airport near Moscow after Russian customs officials allegedly found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage.
News of Detainment Breaks
News of Griner's arrest, which occurred in February, was made public by The New York Times, identifying her as the American basketball star detained.
U.S. Deems Her 'Wrongfully Detained'
The U.S. State Department officially classified Brittney Griner as "wrongfully detained," escalating diplomatic efforts to secure her release.
Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges
Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court, stating she had no intention of breaking the law and that the cannabis oil was mistakenly in her luggage.
Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison
A Russian court found Griner guilty of drug smuggling and sentenced her to nine years in prison, a verdict the U.S. government called a "mockery of justice."
Transferred to Penal Colony
Griner was transferred to a penal colony in Mordovia, a harsher correctional facility, further intensifying concerns about her well-being.
Released in Prisoner Swap
After 294 days in Russian custody, Griner was released in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, returning to the United States.
Re-signs with Phoenix Mercury
Griner signed a one-year contract to return to the Phoenix Mercury, the team that drafted her, for the 2023 WNBA season.
Signs with Atlanta Dream
After 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, Griner signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Dream for the 2025 WNBA season.
Receives Belongings from Russia
Griner announced she finally received her personal belongings back from her apartment in Russia, nearly four years after her detainment.
Signs with Connecticut Sun
Griner signed a one-year, seven-figure deal with the Connecticut Sun for her 13th WNBA season, taking on a new veteran leadership role.
Prepares for 2026 WNBA Season with Sun
As the 2026 WNBA season approaches, Griner is actively preparing with the Connecticut Sun, embracing her role as a vocal veteran and aiming to prove critics wrong.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Brittney Griner's life took an unexpected and dramatic turn in February 2022 when she was detained at Sheremetyevo International Airport near Moscow. Russian officials alleged she had vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage, leading to charges of drug smuggling. At the time, Griner was traveling to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg, a Russian team where many WNBA players compete during the off-season. The timing coincided with heightened geopolitical tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, complicating diplomatic efforts for her release.
The U.S. government initially handled her case through consular services but, by May 3, 2022, officially classified her as "wrongfully detained," shifting her case to the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. This designation signaled a more aggressive approach to securing her freedom. Despite pleading guilty to the charges in July 2022, Griner stated she had no intent to break Russian law and that the cartridges were mistakenly packed. On August 4, 2022, she was found guilty and sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony, a verdict widely criticized by the U.S. government as unjust.
After months of intense negotiations, Griner was transferred to a penal colony in Mordovia in November 2022. Her ordeal concluded on December 8, 2022, when she was released in a prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, a deal approved by President Biden. Upon her return to the United States, Griner expressed gratitude and a desire to return to basketball.
In February 2023, Griner re-signed a one-year contract with her long-time team, the Phoenix Mercury, for the 2023 WNBA season. She made her return to professional basketball, playing the 2023 season with the Mercury. In January 2025, Griner made a significant move, signing a one-year contract with the Atlanta Dream after 11 seasons with the Mercury. Her 2025 season with the Dream saw her take on a somewhat reduced role, averaging career lows in points, rebounds, and blocks.
As of February 2026, Griner also received her personal belongings back from her apartment in Russia, marking another step in moving past her detainment. In April 2026, Griner, now 35, signed a one-year, seven-figure deal with the Connecticut Sun for her 13th WNBA season. She is embracing a new veteran leadership role with the Sun, a team that is expected to move to her home state of Texas in 2027 and be rebranded as the Houston Comets. Griner has expressed a renewed determination to silence critics and prove her continued impact on the court.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Brittney Griner made different choices?