Brittney Griner, WNBA All-Star was found guilty and sentenced to nine years in prison for drug possession and smuggling on Thursday. Here are reactions from across basketball and political arenas:
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“Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is yet another reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney. It is unacceptable and I call on Russia to release her immediately so that she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends and teammates. My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every avenue possible to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as quickly as possible,” said President Joe Biden.
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“Today’s verdict and sentence are unjustified and unfortunate, but not unexpected and Brittney Griner remains in wrongful detention. The WNBA and NBA’s commitment to his safe return has not wavered and we hope we are near the end of this process of finally bringing BG home to the United States.” — WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a joint statement.
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“The unjust detention and unjust sentence of Brittney Griner are blatant and unacceptable violations of the rule of law by Putin. Russia must release her immediately.” — Said the president of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, in a statement.
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“Today’s sentencing of Brittney Griner was harsh by Russian legal standards and demonstrates what we have known all along, that Brittney is being used as a political pawn. We appreciate and continue to support the efforts of (at)POTUS and (at)SecBlinken to close a deal quickly to bring Brittney, Paul and all Americans home. Getting Brittney and Paul home is the only goal, and as such, we need to use every tool available. We must remain focused and united. This is a time for compassion and a shared understanding that getting a deal done to bring Americans home will be difficult, but it’s urgent and it’s the right thing to do.” — Lindsay Kagawa Colas, longtime agent for Brittney Griner, tweeted.
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“Thinking of BG and the amount of light she relentlessly brought to everyone around her. Even after the sentence is completed, I hope that (at)POTUS and (at)WhiteHouse will continue to do everything in their power to bring Brittney Griner and all other Americans detained abroad home.” — Brianna Turner, Phoenix Mercury teammate tweeted.
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“While we knew it was never the legal process that would bring our friend home, today’s verdict is a sobering milestone in the 168-day nightmare our sister, BG, is enduring. We continue to be heartbroken for her, as we have been every day for nearly six months. We continue to be grateful and confident in the public servants who work every day to return her to her family and to us. We remain faithful that the Administration will do whatever is necessary to put an end to her unjust detention. Her BG strength inspires us every day and we are firmly committed to keeping her in the public mind until she returns safely to American soil. We will not allow her to be forgotten. We are BG”. — said the Phoenix Mercury in a statement.
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“Today’s verdict and sentence, while inevitable, are disappointing. The unfair decision today is what it is, unfair. It is a terrible blow. Whatever conversations Secretary Blinken and his Russian counterpart need to have, we trust they’re having them at full speed. Because it’s time. It’s just time,” the WNBA Players Association said in a statement.
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Follow AP coverage of the Brittney Griner case at https://apnews.com/hub/brittney-griner