The players from the Connecticut Sun and the Phoenix Mercury joined at half-court to show their support for each other. It takes 1:35 to complete the task.
The Connecticut Sun and the Phoenix Mercury stood together in a circle at half court to show their support for each other.
The Russian court sentenced her to nine years in prison. She was arrested in February for bringing cannabis into the country.
Many players on both teams wiped away tears during an emotional ceremony to call for the release of Americans being held in Russia.
The teams hoped "to recognize the gravity of the moment and collectively send [Griner] strength" according to the public address announcement.
The PA announced that they are committed to keeping her top of mind publicly until she is safely back in the US. All of you are invited to link arms with us. The only goal is to bring all the other people home. We will bring them home safely.
Since being drafted by Phoenix with the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA draft, she has not played a single game in the league.
The Mercury were without guard Diana Taurasi who was injured. The atmosphere around the game was heavy.
Diggins-Smith said after the game that it wasn't politics. This is a real life friend and sister of ours. I don't think people should give a hoot. We definitely do.
We're supposed to play this game, even though we're out here. Today, nobody wanted to play. The group is crying before the game, how are you supposed to approach it with a clear mind. You try to honor her by coming out and playing hard for her.
The Mercury players were getting ready for their shootaround when the verdict was announced. They were on their phones.
"None of our tough days are as tough as the other days?" The man before the game. We carry this with us for the entire season because we keep that in mind. Today is very difficult.
The players were in the locker room when the verdict was read. It doesn't seem like basketball is something that people are interested in today. It seems like it doesn't really matter. We are ready. We prepared for the game and the players came out and did what they were supposed to do.
It's heartbreaking to listen to her words and see how she's been treated in Russia.
The Mercury were ready for the verdict. The Mercury and other players in the league were upset by the fact that Griner was locked up in a courtroom.
As I listened to her today, I was amazed by her strength and courage. She was so brave when she was in that situation. She was strong and humble.
A prisoner exchange with Russia is expected to be the best chance for a quicker return to the US.
The Russians weren't hanging their hopes on the justice system. The path she's going to come home is going to be worked on by the Biden administration and all of our government officials.
It's hard to hear that she's been wrongly imprisoned, but we're confident that she'll be back home with her family.
The Mercury are concerned about other Americans who are being held, too, according to their coach, a former player.
The offer of the trade already that's occurred, there's been so much support for BG, I think we've seen tremendous response by the Biden administration. It's an odd situation.
From this situation, we are learning a lot more about wrongly detaining Americans. We're hopeful that soon this will be resolved, because I know there are many other families that are also feeling this.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
