Lakers’ Players LeBron James & Carmelo Anthony Call For Brittney Griner’s Safe Return Home From Detainment In Russia

LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Brittney Griner

Lakers’ Players LeBron James & Carmelo Anthony Call For Brittney Griner’s Safe Return Home From Detainment In Russia

NBA players are using their platforms to bring awareness to Brittney Griner’s ongoing Russian detainment.

Initially following Brittney Griner’s detainment in Russia, many people close to her remained tightlipped on the situation seemingly in hopes of not making the matter worse. However, now that the Phoenix Mercury player’s arrest has passed 100 days, her friends and loved ones are speaking out in support of getting her back to America as soon as possible. Yesterday (June 5) LeBron James, 37, shared a post to his 123 million IG followers and 51.4 million Twitter followers “demanding” for President Joe Biden to secure Griner’s release. He captioned his post,

“We need to come together and help do whatever we possibly can to bring BG home quickly and safely!! Our voice as athletes is stronger together.”

That same day (June 5) LeBron James’ Lakers teammate Carmelo Anthony, 38, shared a video online addressing how long Brittney Griner has been “wrongfully” held in Russia. In part, he said,

“It’s been 105 days since Brittney Griner has been wrongfully detained in Russia.”

He continued,

“She is a human and she needs to come home.”

As previously reported, on February 17 WNBA star Griner, 31, was detained at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities claimed they found cannabis vape cartridges while searching her luggage. On March 17 a Moscow court ruled to extend  Griner’s arrest until May 19. However, on May 13 Griner’s lawyer announced that his client’s pretrial detention in Russia was extended for another month. Prior to that announcement, on May 3, news broke that The U.S. government had determined that Griner was wrongfully detained by the Russian government.

Brittney Griner

Last month Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, publically spoke on the situation for the first time and said

“I just keep hearing that, you know, [Biden] has the power. She’s a political pawn. So if they’re holding her because they want you to do something, then I want you to do it.”

She continued,

“I don’t know [if I feel that she’s top priority]. I was grateful for the call [from Senator Blinken]. But you say she’s top priority… I want to see it. And I feel like to see it would be me seeing [Brittney] on US soil.”

She added,

“At this point, I don’t even know who I’m getting back when she comes back.”

"Every single day matters … to make sure that she comes back."

Cherelle Griner, the wife of WNBA superstar Brittney Griner, who has been detained in a Russian prison for nearly 100 days, speaks to @robinroberts about the fight to bring her home. https://t.co/A7bpCs5jQp pic.twitter.com/Yv8GFk5hfW

— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 25, 2022

What are your thoughts on this entire situation? Do you think more celebs should be speaking out in support of Brittney Griner? Tell us below!