PHOENIX — Brittney Griner received emotional shortly.

Speaking to reporters for the primary time since a virtually 10-month detainment in Russia on drug-related costs, the WNBA star needed to take a second to compose herself after being requested about her resiliency by the ordeal.

“I’m no stranger to hard times,” Griner stated Thursday from the foyer of the Footprint Center, dwelling of the Phoenix Mercury and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. “Just digging deep. You’re going to be faced with adversities in life. This was a pretty big one. I just relied on my hard work to get through it.”

Griner’s first information convention drew greater than 100 folks, together with Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, members of the Mercury group and her spouse, Cherelle.

Griner was arrested in February 2022 at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities stated a search of her baggage revealed vape cartridges containing hashish oil. She later pleaded responsible and was sentenced to 9 years in jail.

After practically 10 months of strained negotiations between Washington and Moscow, Griner was exchanged within the United Arab Emirates for Russian arms supplier Viktor Bout on Dec. 8.

Griner stored a low profile following her return to the U.S. whereas adjusting to life again at dwelling, outdoors of appearances on the Super Bowl, the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open and an MLK Day occasion in Phoenix.

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