Brittney Griner calls for the release of all detainees at NAACP Image Awards

(TSN): WNBA star Brittney Griner and her wife Cherelle Griner spoke at the 2023 Image Awards held in Pasedena, CA Saturday night.

“We are just truly so thankful to all the people, many of whom are Black women and organizations, who fought so hard to bring BG home tonight,” Cherelle said.

Griner, who recently re-signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Mercury, expressed her gratitude saying, “It feels so good to be here... I want to thank everyone.

She also spoke up for fellow Americans who are enduring what she experienced saying: "Let’s keep fighting to bring home every American still detained overseas.”

Griner was detained in Russia after cannabis oil was found in her luggage at the Moscow airport. At the time she was entering the country to play professionally. Griner missed an entire year of playing in the U.S. and Russia as fans, the media and players advocated for her release. She returned to the U.S. following cross-govermental negotiation in December of 2022. The top performing power center heads back to the court in May when the 2023 season of the WNBA begins.