In light of Brittney Griner's legal situation, WNBA players skipping Russia in offseason

play

The top women's basketball players are leaving the league because of the legal troubles of their teammate, the country's invasion of Ukranian.

For the past few decades, Russia has been the preferred destination for WNBA players to compete because of the high salaries that can exceed $1 million.

The whole thing has come to an end.

Breanna Stewart, a teammate on the Russian team that paid the duo millions, said that even though her time in Russia has been wonderful, she won't go until she is home. People want to go overseas if the money is not much different and they want to be better off.

During Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Griner was arrested and imprisoned for drug possession. The man was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Stewart and other All-Stars, including Jonquel Jones, are going somewhere else this winter. They all played for the same team. The club has won five EuroLeague titles in the past eight seasons, and has been dominant for nearly two decades with former greats such as DeLise Jones and Diana Taurasi.

None of the players who competed in Russia are going back this year.

Stewart is moving to Turkey to play for Fenerbahe. The salaries of top players in Russia are much higher than in Turkey. Stewart is able to be closer to her family in Spain by playing in Turkey.

Stewart said he wanted to have a better lifestyle, a better off-the-court experience and continue to appreciate other countries.

She obtained Hungarian citizenship in 2016 and is playing in Hungary.

I'm from Hungary." It would be special since I haven't played there in a long time.

Even though she has fond memories of the Russians, the guard said a lot would have to change before she would ever consider going back.

She said that they were treated well by the club and that she would not close the door on that. It's difficult to think that it's safe to go back there right now.

Jones is going to Turkey to play for Mersin. Jones said she would consider returning to Russia if things changed in the US.

The Griner situation is weighing on the minds of young women's basketball players

Rhyne Howard is playing in Italy this winter for the first time outside of the US. She was careful about where she played.

She said that everyone is going to be cautious.

The players from the US are not the only ones who are not going to Russia. Meesseman played in Russia with Stewart, Jones and Vandersloot. She's going to Turkey this off-season.

Staying home in the off-season is a better option for players than the NBA. The top players in the league could make up to $700,000 this year, according to the commissioner. Only a few players were able to reach that amount, but a dozen have decided to sign league marketing agreements.