Is Brittney Griner Returning to the WNBA After Russia Release? WNBA Star Reportedly Re-Signs With Phoenix Mercury

Brittney Griner is back in the United States after being released from Russia in a prisoner swap, and she is now looking forward to returning to the WNBA and might play again with her old team, Phoenix Mercury.

A source familiar with the matter told CBS News that Griner, who spent nearly 300 days in Russian custody for marijuana possession, has already signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Mercury. Since being released, the Olympic Gold medalist has made it clear that she wants to play for the Mercury again.

"I intend to play basketball for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say 'thank you' to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon," she wrote on Instagram after she got back home last December.

A source told ESPN that the 32-year-old free agent signed the deal on Saturday.

How Much is Brittney Griner's New WNBA Deal With the Phoenix Mercury Worth?

The Phoenix Mercury drafted Brittney Griner as their first overall pick in 2013. Since then, she has done much for the team, even leading them to the WNBA Finals in 2021.

Griner missed the entire 2022 WNBA season after being detained in Russia. For playing again in the Mercury, ESPN reported that her one-year deal is worth around $165,100.

This will be her 10th season with the Mercury, and she had her best performance with the team in 2021, averaging 20.5 points, 1.9 blocks, 2.7 assists, and career-highs with 9.5 rebounds per game, 2.4 offensive rebounds, and a .846 free throw percentage.

The Phoenix Mercury is expected to formally announce her re-signing on Tuesday. The team also recently re-signed the WNBA's all-time leading scorer, Diana Taurasi, in a multi-year contract.

Brittney Griner's Detainment in Russia

WNBA contracts are smaller than the NBA's, which means that WNBA players are paid less. Thus, many of its star athletes are forced to go to other countries and play during the off-season. That includes Brittney Griner, who played in Russia after leading her team to the WNBA Finals.

However, as she was heading home in February 2022, she was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport for drug charges. Authorities in Russia claimed she had cannabis oil in her luggage.

The WNBA star had pleaded guilty to the charge, acknowledging in court that she had vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage. However, she said she had no criminal intent and had accidentally packed the cartridges. Griner added that she had a doctor's recommendation for it and had packed it up in a hurry.

However, the WNBA star was still sentenced to nine-year in prison. Critics of the Russian government, human rights groups and the U.S. government said her nine-year prison sentence for simple possession of marijuana was too harsh.

While her lawyers and the U.S. government tried to secure her release, Griner was sent to a penal colony where human rights violations were prevalent. The Biden administration has continued to engage with Russia "through every available channel" and make every effort to bring home the "wrongfully detained" WNBA star.

After a series of back-and-forths, the Russian government finally agreed to free Griner in exchange for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was in a U.S. jail for arms trafficking, money laundering, and conspiring to kill Americans.

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Brittney Griner Signs 1-Year Deal With Phoenix Mercury, Reports Say - From ABC7