Brittney Griner is feeling “so good” about her return to the hardwood, even after all she’s been through.
The Phoenix Mercury center spoke with reporters on Sunday after her first practice back with the team following her Russian detainment, where the eight-time WNBA star was sentenced to nine years over drug charges — accidentally packing cannabis oil-filled vape cartridges in her luggage.
Griner estimated she would’ve been released on Oct. 25, 2030, but after being released on Dec. 8 through a prisoner exchange between the two governments, she smiled as she sat among reporters on Sunday following the training camp workout.
“If it was the full nine, I think that would’ve been my release date,” the center said. “Would’ve been a lot different. I don’t know if I would’ve been on the court at that point. But, yeah, I just kind of prepared myself for the long haul, honestly. You never know. But, when it came quickly, I was really happy and I knew I couldn’t wait to get back on the court.”
The last time the 32-year-old center played for the Mercury was Oct. 17, 2021, when the Phoenix lost to the Chicago Sky in the WNBA Finals.
She signed a one-year deal to stay in Phoenix, the team that originally drafted her at first overall in 2013, this past offseason.
Despite being a seasoned 10-year veteran, Griner admitted she felt like a rookie in a different way since she’s been removed from the WNBA for so long.
For example, whenever rookies ask her for advice about playing for new coach Vanessa Nygaard, Griner can’t answer.
“I was like, ‘Well, I was locked up so I don’t really know too much,'” Griner said. “I was like, ‘I guess I’m little bit of a rookie in training camp right now.'”
Going through her first official practice was emotional for Griner, who said she didn’t take the time to process it until after it was all over.
“It’s a little emotional thinking about it because it’s like the thing that you love the most and you don’t know if you’re going to have it or if it’s going to be completely gone, and not the way that you want it to be gone,” Griner said. “Not on your own terms. So just being here right now means everything.”
Griner’s new coach was also happy to see Griner back, saying it nearly made her cry.
“It’s a miracle, right?” Nygaard said. “Let’s not forget. Let’s not forget. I was just so happy to see her today. I welcomed her back today. I almost cried. She’s great.”