Dawn Staley, a former WNBA star and current coach of the top-ranked South Carolina women’s basketball team, expressed her concerns about Brittney Griner on Wednesday.
and Secretary of State Antony Blinken – and exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital – acknowledged Griner may have violated Russian law but wrote that her detention since sometime in February was concerning given the deteriorating geopolitical climate.
SAITAMA, JAPAN - AUGUST 04: Brittney Griner #15 and head coach Dawn Staley of Team United States celebrate a win against Team Australia during the second half of a Women's Basketball Quarterfinals game on day twelve of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on August 04, 2021 in Saitama, Japan.
"While Mrs. Griner made a grave mistake, we condemn the Russian government’s utilization of her as a pawn to further their ruthless and sick goal of fulfilling the reincarnation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics . We call upon your administration to look Putin in the eyes and send a clear message to the Kremlin that America will not tolerate Putin using Americans as his pawn during this treacherous and bleak moment in world history.
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