The WNBA season kicks off next month, but the one who will continue to miss it and is not expected to start the season is Phoenix Mercury star Britney Griner.
Griner, she recalled, was arrested in Russia on suspicion of drug possession when customs officials at the airport found cannabis oil in her possession.
Her detention has been extended until May 19, and it is not yet clear what her condition is in the Russian prison.
Everyone was waiting for the White House updates last night (Monday) regarding the basketball player, but they did not arrive and the concern is still ongoing.
When asked about Griner on Monday, White House press secretary Jen Pesky did not comment on the actress' case, but said he "usually does not talk about Americans arrested abroad."
"We continue to insist that they (Russia) provide consistent and timely consular access to all U.S. citizen detainees in Russia," the spokesman said in a statement.
U.S. Student Protests: "Release Britney," Photo: USA TODAY Sports
The league's commissioner, Kathy Engelbert, also referred to Griner's situation and said: "This is an inconceivable situation for Brittany to be in. She continues to have our full support. Undoubtedly, we try everything we can, at every angle, to work with her legal representation ", Her agent, the elected leaders, the administration. Everyone in our system is working to try and find ways to bring her home safely and as quickly as possible."
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed her concern Monday about Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner, and said the league is doing all it can to "bring her home." Https://t.co/ZoIiDirqCB
- ESPN Women's Hoops (@ESPN_WomenHoop) April 11, 2022
Last month Peter Mags, a Russian law expert at the University of Illinois, warned of a heavier sentence, far more than they imagined: "We are talking about fifteen years in prison, but in a labor camp. I am concerned that the Russians have extended their pre-trial imprisonment."
Next month will see the start of the WNBA season and the star, who was expected to open her eighth season with Phoenix Mercury, as mentioned will be absent.
Last week, when the league gathered for a training camp, some of its members broke silence and said it could have been "any of us".
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