Holly Rowe provides update on Brittney Griner ahead of WNBA season

ESPN’s Holly Rowe updated Phoenix Mercury star C Brittney Griner’s status ahead of the 2023 WNBA season, noting that all signs are pointing to her getting back on the court this season.

She’s not back to full strength yet, but Griner is in the gym working and rehabbing every day with just over a month until the regular season begins.

“We are all so grateful that Brittney Griner is back and safe. I am told she is very happy,” Rowe said during the second round of the WNBA Draft. “Checking with some people in the Mercury organization, she is doing very well. She is celebrating small gains.

“It’s going to take some time to get Brittney back, but she is working every day and the people around her in that organization have given her everything she needs to be successful there from therapists, nutrition, workouts, working on the court.”

Griner was infamously detained in Russia in February of 2022, where she later pleaded guilty to charges that began with a discovery of cannabis-derived oil cartridges in her luggage. She was held in Russian captivity for 10 months and was released in December of last year.

During the 2021 WNBA season, Griner averaged 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and a league-leading 1.9 blocks per game.

As long as there are no setbacks, Rowe said Griner’s camp is looking for her to return in time for the season opener on May 19 when the Mercury travels to the Los Angeles Sparks.

More on Brittney Griner’s release from Russian prison

The United States struck a deal with Russia that was announced on Dec. 8, 2022, to bring Griner home via a one-for-one prisoner swap involving international arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Originally, the United States had offered a 2-for-2 prisoner swap involving retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan returning to America, who has been in Russian custody for nearly four years due to being convicted on espionage charges that the United States has called false, per CBS. Instead, Russia insisted on a 1-for-1 swap.

Griner wrote a letter to President Joe Biden from her prison cell, requesting action be taken toward her release and for Americans in power not to forget about her and other American detainees.

“Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore,” Griner wrote in the letter to Biden. “I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”

Every person with a voice in the basketball world called for Griner’s release from Russian detention. The WNBA made her an honorary All-Star during the 2022 WNBA All-Star game, and the league just hasn’t the same without Griner’s dominance down low.