How Basketball World Reacted to Brittney Griner’s Release From Russia

• The basketball world has rallied around Brittney Griner on release from Russian custody
• Griner was arrested in Moscow in February and was sentenced to nine years behind bars
• The US and Russia have concluded negotiations for her release in a prisoner swap deal

After 11 months of captivity, WNBA star Brittney Griner was finally freed by Russia in a prisoner swap with the US government.

Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was incarcerated in America for the last 12 years, went the other way.

Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February on drug charges, and pleaded guilty to possessing cannab1s oil. The 32-year-old was sent to a penal colony last month.

CBS reports that the swap happened in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after USA President Joe Biden accelerated negotiations with the Kremlin in recent weeks before agreeing to the deal.

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The Phoenix Mercury centre was released on the condition that international arms dealer Bout, dubbed the 'merchant of death', goes the other way.

The BBC reports that Bout was arrested in Thailand in 2008 and was extradited to the US two years later, before he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He has been serving his sentence in the States for the last 12 years.

Griner said her possession of the cannab1s oil was an honest mistake. She was in Russia to play in the country's basketball league during the WNBA off-season.

Griner release: basketball world reacts

Griner's detention in Russia sparked a months-long campaigns on social media, to pressure the US government to bring the player back home.

America were reportedly told to choose between ex-marine Paul Whelan and the WNBA player for a swap. The basketball world has since welcomed the release of Griner, who spent 294 days in Russian custody.

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US President, Joe Biden confirmed on Twitter that she was headed home:

"Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home."

Several WNBA and NBA players were delighted that Griner was coming back home.

"So grateful for all those who tirelessly worked to make this happen. Welcome home, Brittney!!!!" said @chiney

"BG is FREE!!! 294 days and she is coming home!!! ❤️" tweeted @breannastewart.

"BG is Free ❤️" celebrated @S10Bird

@KayNurse11 added: "BG is coming home!!!!!"

@SheyP11: "Went from FREE BG to BG is FREE!! Won’t he do it!"

@TheTraeYoung: "FREED BG"

Legendary tennis player @BillieJeanKing was happy that Biden secured the release of Griner:

"Brittney Griner is free! After 294 days in Russian captivity, @POTUS negotiated a "one-for-one" prisoner swap. Thank you to President Biden, and to all those who worked so hard to secure her freedom"

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Facts about Brittney Griner

Sports Brief earlier reported on Griner's details including net worth, wife, age, salary, height and career stats. It was in 2009 that the player signed with Phoenix Mercury.

It was only a matter of time before she received the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award. In 2016, she was among the players who took the team to glory during that year's Summer Olympics.

She also won gold with the American women's basketball team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.