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Brittney Griner releases an official statement announcing she is back home and will return to the WNBA

She is reintegrating into American life after departing the military medical facility she was staying in Texas

Senior Writer

DECEMBER 16, 2022 12:16 PM ESTDEC 16, 2022, 12:16 PM EST

Brittney Griner reintegrated into American life after departing the military medical facility she was staying in Texas after safely returning to the United States from Russia. The athlete has broken her silence and took to social media to share a statement revealing her plans and where she is heading next.

According to the two-time Olympic gold medalist, released from prison in December 2022 after ten months in Russian custody, she is back home and will continue playing basketball professionally.

“It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help,” the athlete began.

“I am grateful to each person who advocated for me, especially my wife, Cherelle Griner, my family, Lindsay Kagawa Colas and Casey Wasserman and my whole team at Wasserman, Vince Kozar and the Phoenix Mercury, the players of the WNBA, and my entire WNBA family, Terri Jackson and the WNBPA staff, my Russian legal team Maria Blagovolina and Alex Boykov, the leaders, activists, and grassroots organizations, Gov. Richardson and Mickey Bergman of the Richardson Center, the Bring Our Families Home Campaign, Roger Carstens and the SPEHA team, and of course, a special thank you to President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Blinken and the entire Biden-Harris Administration,” Griner added.

President Biden Announces Release Of WNBA Star Brittney Griner In Prisoner Exchange — Cherelle Griner (C), wife of Olympian and WNBA player Brittney Griner, speaks after U.S. President Joe Biden announced her release of from Russian custody, with Vice President Kamala Harris in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on December 08, 2022 in Washington, DC.

According to Brittney, now is her turn to pay back and help others imprisoned in foreign countries. “President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too. I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you. I also encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole,” she assured.

“As I transition home to enjoy the holidays with my family, I want to acknowledge and thank the entire PISA staff and medical team at the San Antonio Fort Sam Houston Base. I appreciate the time and care to make sure I was okay and equipped with the tools for this new journey.”

Griner also confirmed she would be back on the basketball court. “I also want to make one thing very clear: 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 concluded signing off with “Love always, BG #42.”