Brittney Griner, the 6-foot-8 center from Baylor University, is set to make her WNBA debut following a brief detention in Russia. Griner was detained in Russia for several days in late April after she and her team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, were involved in a dispute with a Russian customs official.
Griner, who was the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA draft, had been playing in Russia since February. She was detained after a dispute with a customs official at the airport in Moscow. Griner and her team had attempted to leave the country with equipment that had not been properly declared. After several days of negotiations, Griner and her team were released without charges.
Griner is now set to make her WNBA debut with the Phoenix Mercury. She is expected to be an immediate impact player for the team, as she was one of the most dominant players in college basketball during her time at Baylor. Griner led the Bears to two NCAA championships and was named the AP Player of the Year in 2012.
Griner’s experience in Russia has been a learning experience for her. She has said that she has learned to be more aware of her surroundings and to be more aware of the laws and regulations of the countries she visits. She also said that she has gained a greater appreciation for the freedoms that she has in the United States.
Griner’s debut in the WNBA will be an exciting event for basketball fans around the world. Her presence on the court will be a reminder of her tremendous talent and of the importance of respecting the laws of other countries. It will also be a reminder that even when things don’t go as planned, there is always a way to make things right.
