The WNBA star has touched down in San Antonio one day after she was released from a Russian prison and is expected to undergo a myriad of testing at a local medical facility in Texas.
- Dec 10, 2022
AceShowbiz - Brittney Griner is finally home after spending nearly ten months in Russian prison. The WNBA star touched down on U.S. soil on early Friday morning, December 9, one day after she was released by Russia on Thursday.
The 32-year-old was seen getting off a private jet in San Antonio at around 5:40 A.M. ET. In a photo and video of her arrival, she appeared to be wearing the same outfit she donned when leaving Russia.
After Griner's arrival, White House National Security Council Communications Coordinator John Kirby told TODAY of her current condition, "She was in very, very good spirits when she got off the plane and appeared to be, obviously, in good health."
Griner is expected to undergo a myriad of testing at a local medical facility in Texas to make sure she's okay, before she eventually returns to her home in Phoenix.
Griner was released in a prisoner swap after being detained in Russia since February 17 for carrying hashish oil in her luggage to a Moscow airport. The person sent back to Russia is notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as "The Merchant of Death". She briefly crossed paths with Bout on the tarmac in the UAE where she was heading to her final plane home.
On the plane, Griner appeared to be in good spirits as she was all smiles, telling someone that she was "good" and "happy." She wore a gray beanie, but it can be seen that her signature dreadlocks have been cut off.
After her short hair has got people wondering, Griner's attorney explained why the athlete cut off her signature long locks. Maria Blagovolina, who repped the basketball player during her trial in Russia, told ESPN Griner got the haircut two Sundays ago to prepare for Russian winter.
Blagovolina said Griner's hair kept freezing following prison showers. "It's very cold in there and every time she washed her hair she got cold and would get a chill," the attorney detailed. "She should have waited until New Year's Day."
