Brittney Griner Gets All-Star Honor in WNBA Return After Russia Ordeal

Brittney Griner from the Phoenix Mercury has been named a starter for the WNBA All-Star Game for the sixth time in her career Sunday, Yahoo! Sports noted.

This selection adds to her remarkable record of earning a spot in the All-Star Game for the ninth time overall, including her honorary selection in 2022, when she faced an unfortunate situation involving an illegal detainment in a Russian prison. This incident forced her to sit out the entire season.

To pay tribute to Brittney Griner's resilience, the 2022 All-Star Game was dedicated to her. The league took this opportunity to shed light on her circumstances, with each player donning a No. 42 jersey, symbolizing support for her.

The selection process for the WNBA All-Star Game starters involves a combination of input from fans, current WNBA players, and the media. Fan votes hold significant weight, accounting for 50% of the decision-making process, while the players and media contribute 25%.

While the starters have been unveiled, the league's head coaches will determine the 12 reserves for the All-Star Game.

The official announcement for the reserves is scheduled for July 1, and the team captains will choose their respective teams on July 8.

The WNBA All-Star Game is set to take place in Las Vegas on July 15.

Brittney Griner and Phoenix Mercury

During the All-Star announcement, a significant development unfolded for the Phoenix Mercury as they decided to relieve head coach Vanessa Nygaard of her duties, per CNN.

Despite Griner's impressive contributions on the court, the Mercury needs to have a better record in the WNBA. The team faces a challenging season, with just two wins and ten losses.

To navigate this transitional period, the Mercury appointed assistant coach Nikki Blue as the interim head coach for the season. Blue will assume the responsibilities of leading the team as they strive to improve their performance.

Griner's accomplishments extend beyond the WNBA, as she has also succeeded on the Olympic stage, earning gold medals in the 2016 and 2020 Games.

Looking ahead, basketball fans can anticipate the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris next July and August, where athletes worldwide will gather to compete for glory.

Brittney Griner Russia Incident

Brittney Griner, 32, endured a challenging and highly publicized ordeal when she spent ten months in Russian custody for the possession of cannabis oil, BBC reports.

Her journey began while actively playing in the Russian Premier League when she was arrested at a Moscow airport in February 2022.

Following her arrest, Griner pleaded guilty to the charges brought against her and received a nine-year sentence. She was then transferred to a penal colony to serve her term.

However, her release from custody occurred through a significant turn of events.

The United States government brokered a deal with Russia, leading to Griner's release. This deal involved the exchange of notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for her freedom.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Brittney Griner Returns | May 30, 2023 - From WNBA