Brittney Griner is finally free

The GIST: After 294 harrowing, heart-wrenching days, the White House announced yesterday that wrongfully detained WNBA star Brittney Griner was freed in a prisoner swap with Russia. Finally.

The details: BG was released in a one-for-one exchange for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, also known as the “Merchant of Death.” Despite the Biden administration’s efforts to bring both home in the deal, the swap did not include former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who has been unjustly detained in Russia for nearly four years after being accused of espionage.

• A senior U.S. official noted that Russia is treating Whelan’s case differently than BG’s. “They said the choice was either one [Griner] or none.”

• Whelan’s family expressed their happiness for BG and her family, writing, “There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed and for them to go home. The Biden Administration made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home…”

The response: Feelings of joy and relief reverberated throughout the women’s basketball community, the sports world and society at large following news of BG’s release. The WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) wrote, “We, as a Union, have not been whole since February 17th, 2022. But, today, our 144 is complete.”

• The WNBPA went on to say, “We will continue to advocate for the release of all wrongfully detained Americans and reaffirm our commitment to the Bring Our Families Home Campaign.” And when the players of the WNBA put their minds to something, they get sh!t done.

Looking ahead: There will undoubtedly be desire to hear from BG, and to hopefully see her back out on the court eventually. But the main priority now is her mental health and recovery from this traumatic experience. Today, she is home, and that is what matters most.