Brittney Griner.Photo: Phoenix Mercury InstagramBrittney Grineris officially back on court with the Phoenix Mercury.Just over a year since the WNBA player was detained for allegedlysmuggling “narcotic drugs” into Russia— and just two months after her release — Griner, 32, is officially practicing with her WNBA team.Mercury released three images of thebasketball star shootingon Tuesday, which show her wearing a gold chain, black WNBA tank top and matching black and purple shorts worn over dark purple leggings. Her short hair also shows a slight fade on the sides.“There she is 🧡,” the team wrote alongside the series of photos.On Monday, it was reported that Griner is returning to the Phoenix Mercury under aone-year, $165,100 free-agent contract.She last played for the team during the 2021 season, averaging 17.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in her career.It is also something she voiced her intention of doing on herreturn to the United Statesin December flowing close toten months in a Russian prison.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I also want to make one thing very clear,” Griner wrote in an a lengthy Instagram post. “I intend to play basketballfor the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season.““In doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon,” she continued.Brittney Griner.Phoenix Mercury InstagramOn Dec. 12, Grinerparticipated in her first basketball workout, with her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, telling ESPN that she would take the holiday season to contemplate her next steps.“There’sno timeline on her returnat this point,” Colas told ESPN. “She’s reintegrating into a world that has changed for her now. From a pure security standpoint, she’s not going to be able to move in the world the way she did.““If she wants to play, it will be for her to share,” Colas added per ESPN. “She has the holidays to decide what’s next without any pressure. She’s doing really, really well. She seems to have endured this in pretty incredible ways.“RELATED VIDEO:Brittney Griner Shares First Statement Since Release from Russian Custody: ‘Dug Deep to Keep My Faith’Last week, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said she was able to meet with the Phoenix Mercury star for the first time.“I met with her in Phoenix,” Engelbert told Poppy Harlow onCNN This Morningahead of theNBA All-Star Weekend. “Britney is doing remarkably well, and she’sstarting to train. We’re so excited to have her back in the league after an awful ordeal.”
Brittney Griner.Photo: Phoenix Mercury Instagram
Brittney Grineris officially back on court with the Phoenix Mercury.Just over a year since the WNBA player was detained for allegedlysmuggling “narcotic drugs” into Russia— and just two months after her release — Griner, 32, is officially practicing with her WNBA team.Mercury released three images of thebasketball star shootingon Tuesday, which show her wearing a gold chain, black WNBA tank top and matching black and purple shorts worn over dark purple leggings. Her short hair also shows a slight fade on the sides.“There she is 🧡,” the team wrote alongside the series of photos.On Monday, it was reported that Griner is returning to the Phoenix Mercury under aone-year, $165,100 free-agent contract.She last played for the team during the 2021 season, averaging 17.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in her career.It is also something she voiced her intention of doing on herreturn to the United Statesin December flowing close toten months in a Russian prison.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I also want to make one thing very clear,” Griner wrote in an a lengthy Instagram post. “I intend to play basketballfor the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season.““In doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon,” she continued.Brittney Griner.Phoenix Mercury InstagramOn Dec. 12, Grinerparticipated in her first basketball workout, with her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, telling ESPN that she would take the holiday season to contemplate her next steps.“There’sno timeline on her returnat this point,” Colas told ESPN. “She’s reintegrating into a world that has changed for her now. From a pure security standpoint, she’s not going to be able to move in the world the way she did.““If she wants to play, it will be for her to share,” Colas added per ESPN. “She has the holidays to decide what’s next without any pressure. She’s doing really, really well. She seems to have endured this in pretty incredible ways.“RELATED VIDEO:Brittney Griner Shares First Statement Since Release from Russian Custody: ‘Dug Deep to Keep My Faith’Last week, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said she was able to meet with the Phoenix Mercury star for the first time.“I met with her in Phoenix,” Engelbert told Poppy Harlow onCNN This Morningahead of theNBA All-Star Weekend. “Britney is doing remarkably well, and she’sstarting to train. We’re so excited to have her back in the league after an awful ordeal.”
Brittney Grineris officially back on court with the Phoenix Mercury.
Just over a year since the WNBA player was detained for allegedlysmuggling “narcotic drugs” into Russia— and just two months after her release — Griner, 32, is officially practicing with her WNBA team.
Mercury released three images of thebasketball star shootingon Tuesday, which show her wearing a gold chain, black WNBA tank top and matching black and purple shorts worn over dark purple leggings. Her short hair also shows a slight fade on the sides.
“There she is 🧡,” the team wrote alongside the series of photos.
On Monday, it was reported that Griner is returning to the Phoenix Mercury under aone-year, $165,100 free-agent contract.She last played for the team during the 2021 season, averaging 17.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in her career.
It is also something she voiced her intention of doing on herreturn to the United Statesin December flowing close toten months in a Russian prison.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I also want to make one thing very clear,” Griner wrote in an a lengthy Instagram post. “I intend to play basketballfor the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season.”
“In doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon,” she continued.
Brittney Griner.Phoenix Mercury Instagram
On Dec. 12, Grinerparticipated in her first basketball workout, with her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, telling ESPN that she would take the holiday season to contemplate her next steps.
“There’sno timeline on her returnat this point,” Colas told ESPN. “She’s reintegrating into a world that has changed for her now. From a pure security standpoint, she’s not going to be able to move in the world the way she did.”
“If she wants to play, it will be for her to share,” Colas added per ESPN. “She has the holidays to decide what’s next without any pressure. She’s doing really, really well. She seems to have endured this in pretty incredible ways.”
RELATED VIDEO:Brittney Griner Shares First Statement Since Release from Russian Custody: ‘Dug Deep to Keep My Faith’
Last week, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said she was able to meet with the Phoenix Mercury star for the first time.
“I met with her in Phoenix,” Engelbert told Poppy Harlow onCNN This Morningahead of theNBA All-Star Weekend. “Britney is doing remarkably well, and she’sstarting to train. We’re so excited to have her back in the league after an awful ordeal.”
source: people.com
