Brittney Griner has been a lightening rod in the world of sports. BG ‘s basketball play has never been questioned. Scorer, elite shot blocker, rebounder have made her one best players of all time in women’s basketball. That said, I’m not sure that we’ve had an American born basketball player have the experiences on an off the court as Brittney. Some of her decisions have been controversial and uncomfortably progressive for some.

Drug Incident at Russian Airport

On February 17, 2022, WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested at Sheremetyevo International Airport near Moscow, Russia, after customs officials allegedly found vape cartridges containing hash oil in her luggage. Griner, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury and has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia during the WNBA off-season since 2015, was detained and later charged with importing, as well as possessing a narcotic drug.

Griner’s arrest came at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and Russia, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Russian government was accused of using Griner as a political pawn, and the United States government classified the incident as wrongfully detained.

Griner’s trial began on July 1, 2022, and lasted for four weeks. She pleaded guilty to the charges on July 7, 2022, but stated that her intentions were not to break the law. On July 14, 2022, Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Griner’s arrest and detainment were met with widespread condemnation. The WNBA, the NBA, and the United States government all called for her release that trended on twitter with the hashtag #FreeBG. President Biden  announced that he was working to secure Griner’s release, and that a special envoy was sent to Russia to negotiate her release.

Griner’s case brought attention to the issue of wrongful detentions of Americans globally. Currently over 60 Americans are wrongfully detained in countries around the world. The United States government has made the release of these Americans a priority.

Griner’s arrest and detainment is a complex issue with no easy answers. However, it is clear that Griner is being used as a political pawn by the Russian government. The United States government must continue to work to secure her release, and they must also work to prevent other Americans from being wrongfully detained overseas.

In addition to the political implications of Griner’s arrest, her case raised important questions about the use of cannabis in the United States and Russia. Cannabis is legal for recreational use in some states in the USA, but it is illegal in Russia. Thus, Griner’s arrest highlighted the different legal standards that apply to cannabis in different countries.

Griner’s case is a reminder that Americans who travel abroad should be aware of the local laws and customs and that they should also be aware of the risks of being wrongfully detained. The United States government must do more to protect Americans who travel abroad, while continuing to secure the release of the wrongfully detained Americans globally.

Domestic Violence and On Court Fights

In April 2015, Griner and her then fiancée, fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson, were both arrested on charges of assault and disorderly conduct after the police detained a fight between the two at their home in Arizona. TMZ reported that Griner and Johnson both sustained injuries, with Griner sustaining a bite wound and Johnson, a bleeding lip.

Following the debacle, Griner pleaded guilty to “disorderly conduct stemming from domestic violence,” as her then lawyer, David Michael Cantor, struck a plea deal with prosecutors in Arizona.