Brittney Griner Reportedly Working On Memoir That Will Detail Her ‘Unfathomable’ Incarceration In Russia

Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner Reportedly Working On Memoir That Will Detail Her ‘Unfathomable’ Incarceration In Russia

WNBA star Brittney Griner is ready to share the “unfathomable” experience surrounding her Russian detainment in a memoir that is scheduled for spring 2024.

As you may recall, Brittney Griner, 32, was wrongfully detained in Russia in February 2022. The basketball star was arrested on drug-related charges after Russian authorities allegedly found vape cartridges while searching her luggage at a Moscow airport. Reportedly, the cartridges contained oil derived from cannabis.

Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner’s imprisonment reportedly unfolded around the same time Russia invaded Ukraine, which only escalated tensions between Russia and the U.S.

She was ultimately sentenced to 9 years in a Russian prison. However, she ended up serving nearly 10 months after she was freed in exchange for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

As previously reported, Griner was released on Dec. 8 in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout. The swap reportedly took place in the United Arab Emirates. The one-for-one exchange agreement negotiated with Moscow was given final approval by President Joe Biden, according to sources familiar with the deal.

Reportedly, the Phoenix Mercury star recalled the day she flew to Moscow to rejoin UMMC Ekaterinburg, a Russian women’s team she has played for in the off-season since 2014.

In a recently released statement, Griner said,

“That day (in February) was the beginning of an unfathomable period in my life which only now am I ready to share.”

She added,

“The primary reason I traveled back to Russia for work that day was because I wanted to make my wife, family, and teammates proud. After an incredibly challenging 10 months in detainment, I am grateful to have been rescued and to be home. Readers will hear my story and understand why I’m so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world.”

Brittney Griner

In addition, Griner reportedly hopes her book will raise awareness of other Americans detained overseas, including U.S. Marine veteran Paul Whelan, who still remains in Russian custody on spying charges. Paul Whelan has been in Russian custody since 2018 when he was sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges. Claims he denies.

The announcement of the forthcoming memoir even details what’s to be expected of the book. The statement shared,

“Griner also describes her stark and surreal time living in a foreign prison and the terrifying aspects of day-to-day life in a women’s penal colony. At the heart of the book, Griner highlights the personal turmoil she experienced during the near ten-month ordeal and the resilience that carried her through to the day of her return to the United States last December.”

Griner’s memoir is currently untitled and will eventually be published in a young adult edition, according to reports.

Brittney Griner

Are you looking forward to reading Brittney Griner’s memoir? Tell us in the comments below!

[VIA]