Brittney Griner to reportedly re-sign with Phoenix Mercury

Brittney Griner has had a rough year, but it isn’t stopping her from moving forward; the Olympic champion will be returning to the Phoenix Mercury this season, reports The Associated Press.

Brittney Griner to re-sign with the Phoenix Mercury

Griner, 32, played nine seasons with the Mercury after being drafted No. 1 by the team in 2013. Additionally, after her return from imprisonment in December 2022, Griner hinted at returning to U.S. basketball.

“Moreover, I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you,’” the WNBA star wrote on Instagram in December in her first social media post after a 10‑month imprisonment in Russia.

Russian imprisonment

2022 was a tough year for the WNBA All-Star. On Feb. 17, 2022, Russian authorities arrested her on drug charges after claiming Griner had hashish oil in her bag at the airport.

After 10 months of imprisonment, she stepped foot on U.S. soil for the first time on Dec. 9, 2022. Then, Griner returned home after a prisoner swap in Russia. U.S. authorities exchanged Griner for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had served 14 years of his 25‑year sentence.

Since her return, Griner has been working out with sporadic public appearances. Furthermore, she and her wife Cherelle were in attendance at Super Bowl LVII in Arizona.