Brittney Griner makes the WNBA All-Star Game

LAS VEGAS –

Brittney Griner didn’t know what to expect when the WNBA season started, how she would react after the trauma she endured in prison in Russia, which also forced her off court for months.

Griner surprised himself and played well enough to become a starter in Saturday’s All-Star Game.

“I just wanted to get out there and do my best not to get hurt, give the best I’ve got,” said Griner. “I was actually a bit shocked how it was when I got on the pitch, so I’m happy with it.

“It was definitely a hard road. Lots of long, hard hours in the gym and weight room to get back into it.”

Griner spent nearly 300 days in Russian custody after being arrested on February 17, 2022 on drug charges at an airport near Moscow. She was released on December 8 after the US government agreed to a prisoner exchange.

The WNBA kept Griner in mind while she was detained in Russia, posting her initials and No. 42 jersey on each lane. She was also named an honorary starter at last year’s All-Star Game.

This year, she is a true starter after averaging 19.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots for the Phoenix Mercury.

“My stats will definitely be better this year than last year,” Griner said with a laugh. “You have to use humor in life.”

Griner will play for Team Stewart.

“It’s really inspiring to see what she does and how she carries herself,” said New York Liberty team captain Breanna Stewart. “It’s like she’s been gone for ten months, but she still behaves and acts the same way. The strength she has to do that is something I definitely admire. And the way she’s able to is to be a force on the pitch, she’s one of the one and we’re glad she’s back with us.”

Griner said that not only did she not think she would be at the All-Star Game this year, but she would still be stuck in Russia.

However, her return to the US was not entirely joyful. Griner was harassed at a Dallas airport last month by someone the WNBA called a “social media figure,” leading the league to reexamine its policies regarding how she travels.

She is interested in playing in the new “Unrivaled” three-on-three and one-on-one league the players are creating so they don’t have to supplement their income abroad.

Stewart and Napheesa Collier, an All-Star from the Minnesota Lynx, are the co-founders and hope to schedule a January-March season.

For now, though, Griner’s focus is on the All-Star festivities, and she’s deeply appreciative of her participation. She was also blown away by the honors at last year’s competition.

“I still see pictures of things I didn’t see that were done at the last All-Star, so I still get caught up in everything,” said Griner. “But it definitely feels great to be able to physically be here right now.”