Brittney Griner played with her Phoenix Mercury for the first time on Friday since 2021, taking the court far sooner than she expected for their pre-season game against the Los Angeles Sparks, after nearly 10 months of detention in Russia.&nbsp;The two-time Olympic gold medalist was released from a Russian penal colony in a high-profile prisoner exchange with the United States late last year after she was arrested in February 2022 on drug charges.

"I didn't think I would be sitting here. I didn't think I would be playing basketball this quickly," Griner told reporters after the Sparks handed them a 90-71 loss. "I didn't know how it was going to go, getting back into it. Grateful to be here, that's for sure."

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Griner was greeted to roars of celebration at Phoenix's Footprint Center on Friday as she exited the tunnel and strode onto the court. The eight-time All-Star got on the board in the first minute with a two-point shot, and had 10 points with three rebounds across 17 minutes.

One of the most dominant forces in the Women's National Basketball Association before her detention, Griner conceded she had plenty of work ahead to get back to her old self.

"I didn't feel like I was gassed or dying," said Griner, who offered a withering self-appraisal of her defensive performance. "(I'm) knocking off those cobwebs, getting rid of the bad habits."

The two-time WNBA scoring champion has been subject to enormous media interest since her return to the United States, using her super-sized platform to champion the cause of other Americans detained abroad.

The 32-year-old, who is working on a memoir about her arrest and imprisonment, said the season ahead also offered an opportunity to focus on the game again.

"It feels good, you definitely feel appreciated," said Griner. "But I can't wait for the day where it's kind of like just basketball."

The Mercury open their regular season on the road in Los Angeles against the Sparks on May 19. 
 
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Brittney Griner played with her Phoenix Mercury for the first time on Friday since 2021, taking the court far sooner than she expected for their pre-season game against the Los Angeles Sparks, after nearly 10 months of detention in Russia.

Brittney Griner played with her Phoenix Mercury for the first time on Friday since 2021, taking the court far sooner than she expected for their pre-season game against the Los Angeles Sparks, after nearly 10 months of detention in Russia. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was released from a Russian penal colony in a high-profile prisoner exchange with the United States late last year after she was arrested in February 2022 on drug charges. "I didn't think I would be sitting here. I didn't think I would be playing basketball this quickly," Griner told reporters after the Sparks handed them a 90-71 loss. "I didn't know how it was going to go, getting back into it. Grateful to be here, that's for sure." ALSO READ: Interim boss Ryan Mason feels he is 'Ready' to manage Spurs after Julian Nagelsmann ruled out of contention Griner was greeted to roars of celebration at Phoenix's Footprint Center on Friday as she exited the tunnel and strode onto the court. The eight-time All-Star got on the board in the first minute with a two-point shot, and had 10 points with three rebounds across 17 minutes. One of the most dominant forces in the Women's National Basketball Association before her detention, Griner conceded she had plenty of work ahead to get back to her old self. "I didn't feel like I was gassed or dying," said Griner, who offered a withering self-appraisal of her defensive performance. "(I'm) knocking off those cobwebs, getting rid of the bad habits." The two-time WNBA scoring champion has been subject to enormous media interest since her return to the United States, using her super-sized platform to champion the cause of other Americans detained abroad. The 32-year-old, who is working on a memoir about her arrest and imprisonment, said the season ahead also offered an opportunity to focus on the game again. "It feels good, you definitely feel appreciated," said Griner. "But I can't wait for the day where it's kind of like just basketball." The Mercury open their regular season on the road in Los Angeles against the Sparks on May 19. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Basketball: USA's Brittney Griner plays for Phoenix Mercury in WNBA for first time since Russia detention

U.S. basketball star Brittney&nbsp;Griner&nbsp;was transferred last week from a detention centre outside the Russian capital Moscow and is on her way to a penal colony, her legal team said on Wednesday. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was arrested on Feb. 17, a week before Russia sent troops into Ukraine, at a Moscow airport with vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, which is banned in Russia. She was sentenced on Aug. 4 to nine years in a penal colony on charges of possessing and smuggling drugs.

Griner&nbsp;had pleaded guilty but said she had made an "honest mistake" and had not meant to break the law. Neither&nbsp;Griner's exact whereabouts nor her final destination were known, the legal team said in a statement, adding that in line with Russian procedures, her attorneys as well as the U.S. Embassy should be notified upon her arrival at her destination.

The notification would take up to two weeks to be received. The White House said U.S. President Joe Biden has directed his administration to "prevail on her Russian captors to improve her treatment and the conditions she may be forced to endure in a penal colony." It did not give any details about&nbsp;Griner's whereabouts. The Biden administration had in late July proposed a deal for a prisoner swap with Russia to secure her release, as well as that of former U.S. marine Paul Whelan, but Moscow is yet to respond positively to the offer.

"Despite a lack of good faith negotiation by the Russians, the U.S. government has continued to follow up on that offer and propose alternative potential ways forward with the Russians through all available channels," White House spokeswoman Karinne Jean-Pierre said. The souring of ties between Russia and the West has complicated the talks to secure&nbsp;Griner's release. "Our primary concern continues to be BG’s health and well-being,"&nbsp;Griner's agent Lindsay Colas said in a separate statement, referring to the player by her initials. "As we work through this very difficult phase of not knowing exactly where BG is or how she is doing, we ask for the public’s support in continuing to write letters and express their love and care for her," Colas said.

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She said&nbsp;Griner's team remained in close contact with the U.S. government as well as the Richardson Center, named after former U.S. diplomat Bill Richardson, who has privately worked to secure the release of American detainees abroad. Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan, in an earlier statement, described&nbsp;Griner's conditions as "intolerable" and the trial she had to go through as "another sham judicial proceeding."

Whelan was convicted by Russia of spying and jailed for 16 years in 2020. He denies espionage and has said he was set up in a sting operation. Washington has demanded his release.

U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner was transferred last week from a detention centre outside the Russian capital Moscow and is on her way to a penal colony, her legal team said on Wednesday.

U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner was transferred last week from a detention centre outside the Russian capital Moscow and is on her way to a penal colony, her legal team said on Wednesday. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was arrested on Feb. 17, a week before Russia sent troops into Ukraine, at a Moscow airport with vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, which is banned in Russia. She was sentenced on Aug. 4 to nine years in a penal colony on charges of possessing and smuggling drugs. Griner had pleaded guilty but said she had made an "honest mistake" and had not meant to break the law. Neither Griner's exact whereabouts nor her final destination were known, the legal team said in a statement, adding that in line with Russian procedures, her attorneys as well as the U.S. Embassy should be notified upon her arrival at her destination. The notification would take up to two weeks to be received. The White House said U.S. President Joe Biden has directed his administration to "prevail on her Russian captors to improve her treatment and the conditions she may be forced to endure in a penal colony." It did not give any details about Griner's whereabouts. The Biden administration had in late July proposed a deal for a prisoner swap with Russia to secure her release, as well as that of former U.S. marine Paul Whelan, but Moscow is yet to respond positively to the offer. "Despite a lack of good faith negotiation by the Russians, the U.S. government has continued to follow up on that offer and propose alternative potential ways forward with the Russians through all available channels," White House spokeswoman Karinne Jean-Pierre said. The souring of ties between Russia and the West has complicated the talks to secure Griner's release. "Our primary concern continues to be BG’s health and well-being," Griner's agent Lindsay Colas said in a separate statement, referring to the player by her initials. "As we work through this very difficult phase of not knowing exactly where BG is or how she is doing, we ask for the public’s support in continuing to write letters and express their love and care for her," Colas said. ALSO READ | Kazakhstan beat hosts Britain in Billie Jean King Cup finals, Australia go past Slovakia She said Griner's team remained in close contact with the U.S. government as well as the Richardson Center, named after former U.S. diplomat Bill Richardson, who has privately worked to secure the release of American detainees abroad. Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan, in an earlier statement, described Griner's conditions as "intolerable" and the trial she had to go through as "another sham judicial proceeding." Whelan was convicted by Russia of spying and jailed for 16 years in 2020. He denies espionage and has said he was set up in a sting operation. Washington has demanded his release.

Basketball star Brittney Griner on her way to penal colony in Russia, reveal lawyers

A Russian court on Tuesday dismissed U.S. WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner's appeal against a nine-year sentence for possessing and smuggling vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.

Griner and her lawyers had asked for acquittal or at least a reduction in her sentence, which they said was disproportionate to the offence and at odds with Russian judicial practice.

After retiring for no more than 30 minutes to consider the appeal, the presiding judge said the original verdict was upheld "without changes" except for the counting of time served in pre-trial detention as part of the sentence.

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, was arrested on Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport, a week before Russia sent troops into Ukraine, and her case has inevitably been viewed in the context of the ensuing crisis in U.S.-Russian relations.

Washington was quick to respond to the verdict.

"We are aware of the news out of Russia that Brittney Griner will continue to be wrongfully detained under intolerable circumstances after having to undergo another sham judicial proceeding today," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement

He said the United States would "continue to engage with Russia" to bring her home.

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The state prosecutor had said Griner's Aug. 4 sentence of nine years in a penal colony was "fair", but Alexander Boykov, one of her lawyers, had told the three-judge panel sitting in Krasnogorsk, on the outskirts of Moscow:

"No judge, hand on heart, will honestly say that Griner's nine-year sentence is in line with Russian criminal law."

He listed a series of what he said were procedural flaws in Griner's conviction and requested an acquittal, but asked that "if the court wants to punish her, [it should] give her a new, 'fair' verdict and mitigate the punishment".

"The severity and cruelty of the sentence applied to Griner shocks people around the world," he said.

Permitted to make a final statement by live video link from her detention centre in the town of Novoye Grishino, just outside Moscow, Griner said how stressful her eight-month detention and two trials had been.

"I was barely over the significant amount [of cannabis oil] ... People with more severe crimes have gotten less than what I was given," she said.

Griner apologised for what she said was an honest mistake, as she had at her original trial, saying: "I did not intend to do this", and asking the court to take into account the fact that she had pleaded guilty.

She has said she used medical cannabis to relieve the pain from a series of sports injuries. Both recreational and medicinal uses are prohibited in Russia.

Wearing a black and red lumberjack shirt over a black hooded top, the 32-year-old alternately sat or stood in her cell, sometimes with head lowered, sometimes leaning against the white bars.

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When asked if she had understood the verdict, she merely replied "Yes" before being led away. U.S. President Joe Biden had called the original verdict "unacceptable".

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday that Washington was working to free Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, serving 16 years in jail after being convicted of spying, and that there had been "active discussions, including in recent days".

"We have not weighed in on the various judicial proceedings and judicial steps because as we’ve made clear, we believe that these proceedings have been largely shambolic," Price told reporters.

U.S. Chargee d'Affaires Elizabeth Rood, the ranking U.S. diplomat in Moscow, told media waiting outside the court that she had not been allowed to speak to Griner before or after the hearing.

But Griner's lawyers said in a statement: "Brittney’s biggest fear is that she is not exchanged and will have to serve the whole sentence in Russia. She had hopes for today as each month, each day away from her family and friends matters to her."

They said it would be some time before Griner was moved to a prison colony, and that they had not yet decided whether to try to launch another appeal.

"We generally think we must use all the available legal tools, especially given the harsh and unprecedented nature of her verdict," the statement said.

A Russian court on Tuesday dismissed U.S. WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner's appeal against a nine-year sentence for possessing and smuggling vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.

A Russian court on Tuesday dismissed U.S. WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner's appeal against a nine-year sentence for possessing and smuggling vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. Griner and her lawyers had asked for acquittal or at least a reduction in her sentence, which they said was disproportionate to the offence and at odds with Russian judicial practice. After retiring for no more than 30 minutes to consider the appeal, the presiding judge said the original verdict was upheld "without changes" except for the counting of time served in pre-trial detention as part of the sentence. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, was arrested on Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport, a week before Russia sent troops into Ukraine, and her case has inevitably been viewed in the context of the ensuing crisis in U.S.-Russian relations. Washington was quick to respond to the verdict. "We are aware of the news out of Russia that Brittney Griner will continue to be wrongfully detained under intolerable circumstances after having to undergo another sham judicial proceeding today," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement He said the United States would "continue to engage with Russia" to bring her home. Also Read: Basketballer Brittney Griner urges Russian court to reduce her sentence, issues apology The state prosecutor had said Griner's Aug. 4 sentence of nine years in a penal colony was "fair", but Alexander Boykov, one of her lawyers, had told the three-judge panel sitting in Krasnogorsk, on the outskirts of Moscow: "No judge, hand on heart, will honestly say that Griner's nine-year sentence is in line with Russian criminal law." He listed a series of what he said were procedural flaws in Griner's conviction and requested an acquittal, but asked that "if the court wants to punish her, [it should] give her a new, 'fair' verdict and mitigate the punishment". "The severity and cruelty of the sentence applied to Griner shocks people around the world," he said. Permitted to make a final statement by live video link from her detention centre in the town of Novoye Grishino, just outside Moscow, Griner said how stressful her eight-month detention and two trials had been. "I was barely over the significant amount [of cannabis oil] ... People with more severe crimes have gotten less than what I was given," she said. Griner apologised for what she said was an honest mistake, as she had at her original trial, saying: "I did not intend to do this", and asking the court to take into account the fact that she had pleaded guilty. She has said she used medical cannabis to relieve the pain from a series of sports injuries. Both recreational and medicinal uses are prohibited in Russia. Wearing a black and red lumberjack shirt over a black hooded top, the 32-year-old alternately sat or stood in her cell, sometimes with head lowered, sometimes leaning against the white bars. Also Read: 'There are some positive signs, but unofficially' - Novak Djokovic on playing 2023 Australian Open When asked if she had understood the verdict, she merely replied "Yes" before being led away. U.S. President Joe Biden had called the original verdict "unacceptable". U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday that Washington was working to free Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, serving 16 years in jail after being convicted of spying, and that there had been "active discussions, including in recent days". "We have not weighed in on the various judicial proceedings and judicial steps because as we’ve made clear, we believe that these proceedings have been largely shambolic," Price told reporters. U.S. Chargee d'Affaires Elizabeth Rood, the ranking U.S. diplomat in Moscow, told media waiting outside the court that she had not been allowed to speak to Griner before or after the hearing. But Griner's lawyers said in a statement: "Brittney’s biggest fear is that she is not exchanged and will have to serve the whole sentence in Russia. She had hopes for today as each month, each day away from her family and friends matters to her." They said it would be some time before Griner was moved to a prison colony, and that they had not yet decided whether to try to launch another appeal. "We generally think we must use all the available legal tools, especially given the harsh and unprecedented nature of her verdict," the statement said.

Russian court upholds US basketball star Brittney Griner's 9-year drug sentence