WNBA star Brittney Griner is speaking publicly about her life after being wrongfully detained in Russia and how she has adjusted since returning to the United States. Her comments come as renewed attention has focused on both her recovery and remarks she made comparing her prison experience to immigration detention in the U.S.
Griner was arrested at an airport in Moscow in February 2022 as she returned to Russia, where she played professionally during the WNBA offseason. Customs officials found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage, which she later said was packed accidentally while rushing to leave the United States.
Her arrest led to nearly 10 months of detention before she was released in a high-profile prisoner exchange. Griner has recently revisited that period while promoting a new documentary about her experience that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
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Brittney Griner Reflects On Healing After Wrongful Detainment
Griner spent nearly 10 months in Russian custody on drug charges before being released as part of a high-profile prisoner exchange. Since returning home, she has focused on recovery, family life, and reestablishing a sense of normal routine.
At the Sundance Film Festival premiere of The Brittney Griner Story, Griner and her wife, Cherelle, spoke with PEOPLE about choosing a slower pace after her return. Cherelle explained that the process involved stepping away from public attention and focusing on quiet moments at home.
“Honestly, I think for me personally, like self care, it really looked like being able to just turn it off,” Cherelle said. “I had to be on for so long in a way that was not naturally my habitat because BG’s normally the one in front of cameras, not me.”
Griner said that spending time at home with her wife and their son, Bash, who is now 18 months old, became central to that adjustment. “I needed nothing more than to actually just be in my four walls with my family and enjoy peace with no outside noise,” Cherelle said, adding that the time together helped both of them reset.
“And I think in retrospect, we both needed it because BG kind of was like, ‘This actually feels good just being here together,’” she said.
Cherelle added that they did not plan public appearances or outside commitments during that period. “And so we didn’t plan anything outward. We really just kind of embraced the slow, steady of our four walls in our house and our own voices and not hearing anything else.”
ICE Comparison Adds A New Layer To Griner’s Post-Prison Story
During interviews connected to the documentary, Griner also discussed how watching immigration detention in the United States reminded her of her own experience in custody. She said she hoped the film would help people better understand the situation.
“I hope this film can shed some light into what it could be like if we keep letting this happen,” Griner told The Hollywood Reporter, comparing her imprisonment in Russia to the actions of ICE agents in Minneapolis and other American cities.
“Right now, we’re in a very bad place, especially with everything that’s going on in Minnesota and just across our country,” she added. “I definitely think people will understand a little bit more now and be able to see some comparisons.”
Her remarks led to public discussion and mixed reactions. Some people believe her comments highlight how detention can affect individuals in different situations. Others say the comparison involves very different legal and political circumstances, which has led to debate.
The comments have also pushed the conversation beyond sports. As Griner continues to speak about her experience, attention remains on both her recovery and the wider discussions her remarks have sparked.
Overall, Griner’s story now sits at the intersection of personal healing and public debate. While she continues to rebuild her life after detention, her words and experiences remain part of larger conversations about justice, detention, and life after incarceration.
Published: Jan 29, 2026 11:51 am