Bold. Strong. Authentic. These are just a few words that define Brittney Griner – an icon in the making pushing boundaries, redefining her sport and creating visibility for those who have not yet found their voice. Currently playing for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a six-time WNBA All-Star. She was additionally named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023.

On February 17, 2022, Griner was detained and arrested on smuggling charges by Russian customs officials after cartridges containing less than a gram of medically prescribed hash oil, illegal in Russia, were found in her luggage. She had been playing basketball with the Russian Premier League during the WNBA off-season. She was sentenced to nine years in prison and was transferred to the Russian penal colony IK-2. US officials stated that she was "wrongfully detained," and on December 8 Griner was released in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. On May 19, 2023, she made her reappearance in the WNBA, and she received standing ovation from the audience. A number of sport celebrities and politicians also attended the game to support her and celebrate her release.

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