Less than two years ago, Griner was imprisoned in Russia, unsure if she would ever experience freedom again, let alone return to the basketball court.
Griner was arrested in Russia in February 2022 and sentenced to nine years in prison for drug possession and smuggling. She spent 10 months in a Russian penal colony before being released in a high-profile prisoner exchange in December 2022. Reflecting on her journey, Griner openly expressed her emotions on the podium, allowing herself to feel the weight of the moment.
“This one meant a lot to me,” Griner said. “I mean, just having a chance to play for gold, represent my country, what my country did for me? Yeah, this is the highest on the pinnacle right here.”
2024 Paris Olympics Win
Griner, who plays as a center for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, had been competing in Russia during the WNBA offseason when she was detained.
Now, after a long and challenging journey, she has added another gold medal to her collection, her third overall. Griner made it clear that while she has no plans to play internationally again, she remains committed to representing the United States on the global stage through USA Basketball.
