Brittney Griner released in prisoner swap with Russia


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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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

President Joe Biden said

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

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

Griner was arrested

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

Brittney Griner, 32

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

Standing 6ft 9in (206cm),

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

Known as "BG"

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

The club attracted

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

Griner's initials

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

She was arrested in