Brittney Griner Returns To WNBA After Signing 1-Year Deal, Rejoining Phoenix Mercury

© Provided by Hollywood Unlocked Brittney Griner Returns To WNBA After Signing 1-Year Deal, Rejoining Phoenix Mercury

Congrats are in order for Brittney Griner who officially returns to the WNBA after signing a 1-year deal, rejoining the Phoenix Mercury — the WNBA team she has not played with since 2021.

RELATED: Brittney Griner’s Wife Cherelle Griner Applauds Her Release, Says They Are Committed To Helping Other Americans In Similar Situations

Brittney Griner Returns To WNBA After Signing 1-Year Deal, Rejoining Phoenix Mercury

32-year-old Griner, who returned to the United States from a 10-month detention in a Russian jail, was left a free agent upon her U.S. arrival.

On Saturday (February 18), ESPN reported that Griner signed a deal with the Mercury for $165,100. It is reported that the $165K base salary is guaranteed, and an annual average salary / cap hit of $165,100.

RELATED: WATCH: Brittney Griner Is Back On U.S. Soil Following Russian Prisoner Swap

Griner’s deal arrives just a month after Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for “getting Brittney Griner home.” He added, “It means a lot to know that she’s here …. and all the work that went on behind the scenes to make that a reality. So I just want to say thank you.”

As mentioned, the two-time Olympic gold medalist was kept in a Russian prison for 10 months. In February 2022, Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport after vape cartridges, containing hashish oil, were found in her luggage.

RELATED: Brittney Griner Forced To Cut Her Signature Locs In Russian Prison Because Her Dreads Kept Freezing After Showers

Griner ended up being sentenced to nine years in prison and was transferred to a Russian penal colony.

After months of pleading and negotiating, Griner was eventually released in early December 2022, after U.S. President Joe Biden secured a one-for-one prisoner swap for Griner in exchange for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is also known as the “Merchant of Death.”

RELATED: Brittney Griner Thanks Fans And President Biden For Getting Her Out Of Russian Prison: “I Know You Are Committed To Bringing All Americans Home Too”

At the time of her release, Griner thanked POTUS and said, “President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too.”

Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner also spoke out and applauded her release. She gave a heartfelt speech at the White House, joining President Biden.

Griner’s wife thanked Biden and the “many hands involved” behind the scenes of the Phoenix Mercury player’s release.

She said, “B.G. is not here to say this. But I will gladly speak on her behalf to say B.G. and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home, including Paul, whose family is in our hearts today as we celebrate B.G. being home. We do understand that there are still people out here who are enduring what I endure the last nine months of missing tremendously their loved ones.”

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