During the second half of the WNBA’s All-Star Game in Chicago, the league paid tribute to Griner by wearing matching versions of her No. 42 jersey with her name written on the back
Photo: Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images Last week, Brittney Griner — the WNBA star who has been detained in Russia since February — pleaded guilty to drug possession in a Moscow court, which carries a sentence of up to ten years in a penal colony. The next steps of her case remain unclear, with experts suggesting her guilty plea may have been part of a strategic play for an eventual prisoner swap. On Sunday, her teammates showed their support: .
“We just wanted to make sure at some point that we are able to — on national television, obviously in front of a sold-out crowd — put Brittney’s name in the forefront,” Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird told ESPN on Sunday. “Hopefully at some point she sees a picture or something, letting her know that she is always on our minds and in our hearts.
While many WNBA stars compete internationally, incentivized by more lucrative pay , Griner’s detention has drawn attention to the potential dangers of doing so. For its part, the WNBA has vocalized support for Griner since her initial arrest and released a statement of support following her guilty plea, stressing that it “stands with Griner” and spotlighting the punitive nature of Russia’s legal system and its impact on all U.S. detainees.
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