Brittney Griner trains with her Phoenix Mercury teammates for first time since jail release

Brittney Griner joined her Phoenix Mercury teammates for training camp practice on Sunday, saying it was ‘everything that I wanted it to be’.

The 6-foot-9 center was back on the court with the team for the first time since being released from a Russian penal colony on December 8.

Griner spoke to the media on Wednesday – the first time since being released in prisoner swap that allowed arms dealer Viktor Bout to return to his native Russia.

She broke down in tears during the press conference after a reporter struggled to keep her emotions in check and began weeping while asking the opening question. 

On Sunday she was back at practice with her Mercury teammates ahead of the new season. 

Brittney Griner joined her Phoenix Mercury teammates for training camp practice on Sunday

‘It’s everything that I wanted it to be, just finding my groove, just getting back into it,’ Griner said. 

‘Am I where I want to be? No, because last time I was with my team I was against Chicago in the Finals, and as much as I want to be ‘Finals BG’ right now, it’s not the case.

‘So, just kind of giving myself some grace and my teammates just picking me up. But I feel like I’m at a good spot to start a training camp though for sure.

‘I mean I didn’t fall out, they didn’t have to get a stretcher or oxygen or anything, so I guess I’m doing pretty good.’

Griner worked out her release date had President Biden not exchanged her freedom for Russia’s ‘Merchant of Death’ following practice – October 25, 2030. 

‘If it was the full nine, I think that would’ve been my release date,’ Griner added.

‘Would’ve been a lot different. I don’t know if I would’ve been on the court at that point. But, yeah, I just kind of prepared myself for the long haul, honestly. 

‘You never know. But, when it came quickly, I was really happy and I knew I couldn’t wait to get back on the court.’ 

A national champion at Baylor in 2012 and WNBA champion with the Mercury two years later, Griner had been supplementing her income by playing in the Russian league since 2014. 

But while returning to the country in February of 2022, the Houston native was arrested at an airport outside Moscow with what Russian security claimed were cartridges of hash oil.

Amid the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine, Griner was found guilty and sentenced to nine out of a possible 10 years in a Russian penal colony, where she reported in November. 

However, she was freed a month later after the US State Department negotiated the prisoner exchange for Bout.

The eight-time WNBA All-Star re-signed with Phoenix in February and is preparing to earn $165,000 for the upcoming season.

Griner makes her official return to the court on May 19, when she and the Mercury will take on the Los Angeles Sparks on ABC/ESPN. She has not played for the Mercury since 2021, when she led Phoenix to the WNBA Finals before losing to the Chicago Sky.