Griner, who was detained at a Russian airport after authorities allegedly found vape cartridges with trace amounts of cannabis oil in her luggage, was let go in exchange for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Her freedom was celebrated by her family, friends and teammates, among others, who have been pushing for her return. Dawn Staley, former head of the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team and current head coach for the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team, is among those who have been advocating to keep Griner’s case in the spotlight, often wearing jerseys and pins with Griner’s number, or the words “We Are BG.”
In an interview with the PBS NewsHour, Staley said she “cried tears of joy” when she heard the news of Griner’s release.
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