The United States and Russia have exchanged the imprisoned American  basketball star Brittney Griner for the famous arms dealer Viktor Bout, who has been in a US prison for 12 years.

image source: twitter

Griner was safe and on a plane home from the United Arab Emirates.

President  Joe Biden said 

image source: twitter

Brittney is in good spirits ...  she needs time and space  to recover,"  President  Joe Biden  said at the White House. 

"I'm happy to say 

image source: twitter

at a Moscow airport in February for possession of cannabis oil and sent to prison last month.

Griner was arrested 

image source: instagram

is a two-time Olympic champion and seven-time All-Star for the United States National Basketball Association (WBNA). 

Brittney Griner, 32

image source: instagram

Texas' top-scoring center was selected first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 WBNA Draft.

Standing 6ft 9in (206cm), 

image source: instagram

to basketball fans, she has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia in the WNBA winter season since 2014.   

Known as "BG"

image source: instagram

other American basketball players, including Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker.

The club attracted 

image source: instagram

and jersey number,  "42," have been  emblazoned on the court  of 12 WNBA teams this season.

Griner's initials 

image source: instagram

February just days before Russia invaded Ukraine amid tensions between the United States and Moscow.

She was arrested in 

image source: instagram