(Chicago) The players of the North American Basketball League (WNBA) paid tribute to Brittney Griner, tried and detained in Russia since February, during the All-Star Game organized on Sunday.
Posted at 4:56 p.m.
“We’re thinking about Brittney Griner right now,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “She remains a top priority for us and we continue to give her our full support. We are doing everything to get her home safe and sound as soon as possible”.
At halftime the players donned black and orange shirts, flocked with Griner’s name and number (42).
The 31-year-old player, eight times selected for this All-Star Game, pleaded guilty Thursday to drug smuggling in a case closely followed by Washington in the context of high tensions with Moscow.
The double Olympic medalist (2016 and 2020) faces up to ten years in prison after being arrested in possession of a cannabis-based vaping liquid. While she pleaded guilty, she said she did not intend to “violate Russian law”.