Brittney Griner's WNBA Coach slammed US officials for the continued detainment of the star in Russia, saying it would be resolved if it was LeBron behind bars. US officials say Biden has read Griner's letter pleading for help.
US officials say Biden has read Griner's letter
On July 4, a handwritten letter from Brittney Griner was delivered to the White House via her representatives, according to the Griner family. Her relatives provided excerpts to reporters, CBS reported.
In the letter, Griner pleaded for president Joe Biden not to forget about her. She has been detained in Russia since mid-February after Russia claimed the WBNA center with the Phoenix Mercury had cannabis oil in her luggage. She was playing in Russia during the WNBA off-season. Russian officials are holding Griner in custody while she stands trial.
"I'm terrified I might be here forever," wrote Griner in her letter to the president.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked repeatedly about Griner on Tuesday during the regular briefing, where she acknowledged that president Joe Biden had read Griner's letter.
"This is very personal to him," Jean-Pierre said while indicating the president desires to bring Griner and other Americans home. "We are going to use every tool we possibly can to make that happen."
However, Griner's wife, Cherelle, said she hadn't heard from Biden during a talk show interview on Tuesday morning, ESPN reported.
Griner's trial resumes on Thursday.
Griner was arrested on cannabis possession charges on February 17, and a judge ordered her to remain in custody throughout the duration of her trial. Griner's trial did not begin until last week. It resumes on Thursday, CBS reported.
Griner could face up to ten years in prison for the offense. Fewer than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted. Even if she's acquitted, it does not mean it's over. Unlike in U.S. courts, acquittals can be overturned.
Brittney Griner's WNBA Coach: 'If It Was LeBron, He'd Be Home'
Phoenix Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard slammed US officials for the lack of progress in bringing Brittney Griner home from her detainment in Russia, alleging that if Griner were a man and a bigger star, there would be a greater effort, USA Today reported.
"If it was LeBron, he'd be home, right?" Nygaard asked rhetorically while speaking to reporters after her team's loss to the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday. "It's a statement about the value of women."
"It's a statement about the value of a Black person," Nygaard continued. "It's a statement about the value of a gay person. All of those things. We know it, and so that's what hurts a little more."