Basketball community reacts to Brittney Griner's extended detention in Russia
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner will remain in pre-trial detention in Russia for another month, her lawyer said Friday.
Griner has been in detention for nearly three months after cannabis-derived vape cartridges were reportedly found in her luggage at a Moscow airport.
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Playing without Griner has cast a shadow over the ongoing season for the Mercury. Several of Griner’s Mercury teammates reacted to the news on social media.
Guard Skylar Diggins-Smith posted on Twitter: “Makes my heart drop…” Diggins-Smith has previously called Griner her “sister” and has thought about her every day.
Makes my heart drop….
— Skylar Diggins-Smith (@SkyDigg4) May 13, 2022
I’m sick. SICK. @POTUS WE ARE WATCHING YOU! #FreeBG
— Diamond DeShields (@diamonddoesit1) May 13, 2022
On road trips BG would always save her leftover food and give it to a homeless person. So of course with her on my mind I thought to do the same today. Sometimes a free meal can make a persons day. If possible, do something nice for a stranger today 😌
— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) May 13, 2022
bring BG home!! it’s been too long. it’s time for everyone to speak up and bring awareness to our sisters situation. we MISS and LOVE you, B🖤 https://t.co/neUAjPzh3S
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) May 13, 2022
Other members of the basketball community shared their thoughts on the news.
@WhiteHouse one of our sisters is wrongly detained (according to our US STATE DEPARTMENT) and holed up in a Russian prison for another 30 days…can you please get @brittneygriner home to us? #FreeBrittneyGriner
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) May 13, 2022
It’s been 429 days since I’ve played basketball, but that means nothing compared to the 85 days of our sister Brittney Griner being wrongfully detained in Russia. It is time for her to come home. Know that we are watching @WhiteHouse. Know that we are paying attention. #WeAreBG
— Alysha Clark (@Alysha_Clark) May 13, 2022
85 days. Enough is enough. It’s time for our sister Brittney Griner to come home. #WeAreBG
— Chiney Ogwumike (@chiney) May 13, 2022
Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com or 602-647-4122. Follow her on Twitter @jennarortiz.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mercury teammates react to Brittney Griner's detention extension