PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Brittney Griner admitted that the national anthem "hit different" after she made her return to the basketball court following her detainment in Russia. Griner was back in action on her home court on Friday, May 12, for the first time since her release from a Russian penal colony.
The towering 6-foot-9 center, who plays for Phoenix Mercury, was welcomed with a standing ovation from the crowd as she took to the court for a preseason matchup against the LA Sparks. She was seen exchanging hugs with her teammates, coaches, as well as opposition players. The home team stood for the national anthem prior to the tipoff as the audience cheered the No 1 pick of the 2013 WNBA Draft. Despite losing the game 71-90, the 32-year-old athlete said it meant a lot for her to be able to play basketball back on home soil.
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'It definitely hit different'
"Hearing the national anthem, it definitely hit different," Griner said after the game. "It's like when you go for the Olympics, you're sitting there, about to get gold put on your neck, the flags are going up, and the anthem is playing, it just hits different. Being here today ... it means a lot," she added. Her comments were in stark contrast to those she made during the social justice protests in July 2020, when she said she didn't think the national anthem should be played during the season, insisting that she didn't mean any "disrespect to our country."
Prisoner exchange
Griner was arrested at an airport outside Moscow with cartridges of hash oil. She returned to the basketball court five months after her release in a controversial prisoner swap that allowed dangerous arms dealer Viktor Bout to return to Russia on December 8. Griner re-signed with the Mercury in February and returned to the WNBA for a 10th season with the team. "We looked at each other, and we just had chills," Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard said. "We were here last year for all of it. I'm getting emotional about it now. Just to see her back out there — it's an absolute miracle. It was amazing. It's giving me chills again."
'On the right track'
Griner did not waste time getting back to work as soon as the game started. She scored a turnaround jumper early in the first quarter and scored both free throws after being fouled on another turnaround a couple of minutes later. The pivot went on to add three rebounds in 17 minutes, albeit she admitted she was more rusty than she expected. "Not where I want it to be, but on the right track," Griner said. "We're making the right moves."
Phoenix will possibly rekindle hopes of another run to the finals after Griner's return, especially since the WNBA season is just around the corner. The franchise's opening game against the Sparks will be broadcasted on ESPN on May 19, per the Daily Mail.
