- Griner was released after being detained in Russia for ten months for bringing cannabis oil cartridges into the country just ahead of the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.
- The Phoenix Mercury star was later sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony. The Biden administration held months of talks with Russian leaders to negotiate Griner’s release.
- Griner’s prison swap was announced on Thursday. Some Americans celebrated her freedom, but many were critical of the trade.
