Recently released basketball star Brittany Griner thanked President Joe Biden on Friday for securing her freedom from Russian kidnappers and vowed to play in the upcoming WNBA season.
In his first comments since being released in a prisoner exchange last week, the Phoenix Mercury Center wrote on Instagram that his 10 months in Russian custody had been “a battle at every turn” and emotional.
“I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that kept me going,” Griner wrote. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for your support.”
In addition to praising his family, friends, teammates, and the Russian legal team, Griner also cited “a special thank you” to “President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Blinken, and the entire Biden-Harris administration.”
He pledged to lend his name and efforts to the cause of Paul Whelan, an American businessman and former Marine imprisoned in Russia on suspicion of espionage.
“President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whalen and all Americans home. I will use my platform to help you,” Griner added.
“I encourage everyone who played a role in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole.”
Phoenix tipped for her 2023 season on May 19 and Griner left no doubt she would be in uniform.
“I also want to make one thing clear: I intend to play basketball for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA this season, and in doing so, I hope to be able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who have advocated, wrote, and soon for my personal Post as,” she wrote.
Griner, 32, is one of basketball’s most decorated stars with a gold medal from the 2016 Olympics and a WNBA ring from 2014.