PHOENIX (AP) — There was a time when Brittney Griner thought she’d never put on a USA Basketball jersey again.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist was serving time in a Russian prison until 2022. Sentenced to nine years in prison She was arrested on drug possession and smuggling charges. At that point, the idea of playing for her country again was a pipe dream. Ten months later, she High-profile prisoner exchange.
Nineteen months later, she will represent the United States at the Paris Olympics, her first overseas tour since returning from Russia.
Before taking part in Saturday’s All-Star Game, Griner, who wore the USA National Team No. 15 jersey, said just putting it on gave him goosebumps.
“Honestly, this means everything to me,” Griner told The Associated Press in an interview. “For me, the honor of putting this uniform on again and winning a gold medal is the sweetest thing of all.”
Griner went to Russia to play basketball to supplement her WNBA income, and after doing so for years, she’s done so now. The 33-year-old Griner said she will only play in the U.S. unless USA Basketball calls her to play. Griner has spent a lot of time playing for the U.S. team and feels 100 percent safe when she’s with the team.
“It’s not like before. We have the protection of the staff around us,” she said. “It’s definitely not like before. The comfort and security that we have now makes it a lot easier.”
The past few weeks have been busy for Griner, as his wife, Sherrell, gave birth to their son, Bash, on July 8. Griner said it’s been hard being away from his son for a few weeks.
“I got some really great photos before I left,” she said. “He doesn’t know right now, but one day the footage will be great for him. There’s a lot of footage.”
While she’s in Paris, she can rely on her USA Basketball family, her teammates and coaches who are excited for her to play for USA Basketball.
“When you really think about it, it’s incredible. Think about something outside of the Olympics, someone’s personal experience, what she went through and is still going through,” U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve said. “We’ve all been thinking about BG while she was gone, not knowing if this moment would ever come true. I’m personally happy for her and I’m happy for our basketball team.”
Griner was able to spend a few minutes with second gentleman Doug Emhoff at practice on Friday. Emhoff and the vice president met Griner when she returned to the U.S. to attend her first WNBA game in his hometown of Los Angeles.
He was touched that Griner wanted to represent the United States again.
“It really gives me chills just thinking about it,” he told The Associated Press. “To see where she was and where she is now, her positivity and her mental strength, it’s really inspiring. I’m glad to see that.”
Emhoff is scheduled to lead the U.S. delegation to the Olympics’ closing ceremony, the same night as the women’s gold medal game in which Griner and her teammates are expected to compete.
“Hopefully everything goes the way we want it to and the national anthem will play,” Griner said of the U.S. seeking its eighth consecutive gold medal in the final on Aug. 11. “It’s going to be a lot more emotional this time.”
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