Brittney Griner Speaks At Press Conference For the First Time Since Detainment in Russia

Brittney Griner spoke in her first press conference since being released in December after a 10-month detainment in Russia.

The 32-year-old WNBA star said that she will not play overseas again unless it is with the U.S. national team at the Olympics.

Brittney attended the press conference in Phoenix wearing a black T-shirt with the phrase “bring our families home.”

Keep reading to find out more…The first reporter asked about how she stayed resilient during her imprisonment.

“Just digging deep, honestly,” Brittney said. “I know this sounds so small, but, you know, dying in practice and hard workouts. You find a way to just grind it out. Just put your head down and just keep moving forward. You know, you can never stand still.”

Her return to the WNBA has not been easy. “The first two weeks, first month [of basketball training] … it was hard. At first, there was a point where it was like, ‘Wow, do I really want to do this this fast right now?’ But it was so worth it.”

But Brittney said there is only one instance in which she would play overseas again. “I’m never going overseas to play again unless I’m representing my country at the Olympics,” she said. “You know, if I make that team, that would be the only time I would leave the U.S. soil.”

In February, Brittney signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Mercury. She will be playing her 10th WNBA season with the Mercury. Brittney and the Mercury will be part of a campaign this season in support of other Americans detained overseas.