Lebron James has stirred up some controversy over comments he made regarding Brittney Griner and whether she would want to return to the US. Now the basketball star is clarifying the context of his statement.
LeBron James makes controversial comments on Brittney Griner
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James created a small firestorm of controversy after speaking on the subject of WNBA star Brittney Griner's detention in Russia. The basketball star wondered aloud whether she would even want to return to the US.
The comments came when James was speaking on the latest episode of his talk show, The Shop: Uninterrupted, which airs on YouTube, ESPN reported.
Griner was arrested at Moscow airport in February and accused of possessing hashish oil in a vape cartridge, the New York Post reported. Last week she pleaded guilty to the offense, and now awaits sentencing which could result in 10 years in prison. Her next hearing is July 14.
"She’s been there over 110 days," James said of Griner. "Now, how could she feel like America has her back?"
"I would be feeling like, 'Do I even want to go back to America?'" James added.
James appeared to be questioning America's efforts to bring the detained basketball star home. James' comments were then widely taken as a slam on the United States.
Last week, Griner's coach, Vanessa Nygaard of the Phoenix Mercury, also questioned the US effort, alleging things would be different if Griner were a bigger star or a man, USA Today reported.
"If it was LeBron, he'd be home, right?" Nygaard said. "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."
James clarifies the context of his comments on Griner
Following the controversy of James' statements on Brittney Griner's detention, he took to Twitter to clarify and add context.
"My comments on “The Shop” regarding Brittney Griner wasn’t knocking our beautiful country," James clarified in the tweet. "I was simply saying how she’s probably feeling emotionally along with so many other emotions, thoughts, etc inside that cage she’s been in for over 100+ days! Long story short #BringHerHome"