Brittney Griner has not yet decided when or if she plans to return to the WNBA and the Phoenix Mercury, her agent told ESPN.
Griner picked up a basketball Sunday for the first time since he was detained in February, Lindsay Kagawa Colas said of Griner’s first day after his release from Russian exile.
Her first shot? dunk.
“If she wants to play, it’s up to her to share. She has vacation time to rest and decide on her next move without any pressure,” Colas told ESPN. “She’s doing really, really well. She seems to be putting up with that in a really incredible way.”
The WNBA season will begin on May 6.
Greiner was released from prison on Thursday after the U.S. government entered into prisoner-swap talks with the 32-year-old Phoenix Mercury star, sending convicted arms-dealing Victor Bout back to Russia. She is receiving medical attention at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where she and wife Cheryl have been staying and greeting family.
ESPN reported that when Griner leaves San Antonio, she and Cherelle will not return to their home in Phoenix, but to an undisclosed private location.
“There’s no timeline yet on her return. She’s reintegrating into a world that has changed for her,” Colas said. “From a pure security standpoint, she won’t be able to move around the world the way she used to. It’s not a fate she’s asking for, but I think she’ll try to capitalize on her fame forever.”
One of Greiner’s top priorities is helping bring home other detained Americans, starting with former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was convicted after his arrest four years ago, her agent said. charged with espionage. The Biden administration has been criticized by many for agreeing to send Bout back to Russia without including Whelan in the Griner deal.