On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, WNBA star Brittney Griner conventionally had her heartfelt courtroom appeal denied by Russian officials. The 32-year-old athlete was previously arrested by Russian police officers, in February of this year, after possessing multiple vape cartridges withholding cannabis oil — a criminal investigation was immediately opened on the American basketball player, leading to her nine-year prison sentence for possession of THC.
As the United States government continues to categorize and label Griner’s situation as “wrongfully detained,” President Joe Biden is seeming to still push for the freedom of his accused citizen. He previously offered Russia a one-sided exchange for Griner: the release of convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
With this updated news, the Phoenix Mercury star is now set to begin her nine-year sentence unless the U.S. comes to a professional agreement with their neighboring country. The Golden State Warriors recently held their ring ceremony on October 18 where they publicly spoke, “We hope that she (Brittney) comes home soon and that everybody’s doing their part to get her home;” Brittney turned 32 on the same night.