Brittney Griner's Homecoming: A Timeline of the WNBA Star's Detainment and Release

February 17, 2022: Griner is detained at Sheremetyevo International Airport after vape cartridges containing hashish oil were allegedly found in her luggage. Russian authorities accused her of drug smuggling. The timing, coinciding with Russia's escalating tensions with Ukraine, immediately raised concerns about Griner becoming a political pawn.

March 5, 2022: News of Griner's detention becomes public. The U.S. government initially handled the situation discreetly, hoping to avoid exacerbating tensions with Russia. However, growing public pressure, particularly from the WNBA and Griner's supporters, pushed the case into the spotlight.

May 3, 2022: The U.S. State Department officially classifies Griner as "wrongfully detained," signaling a shift in its approach. This designation allowed the U.S. government to more actively pursue her release through diplomatic channels and prisoner exchanges.

July 7, 2022: Griner pleads guilty to the drug charges in a Russian court. Her legal team explained that the plea was a strategic move to expedite the process and potentially secure a lighter sentence. Griner maintained that she had inadvertently packed the cartridges and had no intention of breaking Russian law.

August 4, 2022: A Russian court sentences Griner to nine years in a penal colony. The harsh sentence was widely condemned internationally as being politically motivated. The U.S. government continued to negotiate for her release, exploring potential prisoner swaps.

November 9, 2022: Griner is transferred to a penal colony in Mordovia, a region known for its harsh prison conditions. Concerns about her well-being intensified, with limited communication and access to consular support.

December 8, 2022: After months of intense negotiations, a prisoner exchange is finalized. Griner is released in exchange for Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms trafficker serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. The exchange took place in the United Arab Emirates.

December 9, 2022: Griner arrives back on U.S. soil, landing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Her return marked the end of a long and arduous journey, bringing relief to her family, supporters, and the wider basketball community.