Brittney Griner , Announces Her , WNBA Return.br NPR reports that Brittney Griner has br confirmed that she will be playing in br the upcoming season of the WNBA.br NPR reports that Brittney Griner has br confirmed that she will be playing in br the upcoming season of the WNBA.br The two-time Olympic gold medalist br shared the news in her first public statement br since being freed from Russia. .br The two-time Olympic gold medalist br shared the news in her first public statement br since being freed from Russia. .br Griner took to Instagram to express br her thanks to all the people who br played a role in bringing her home. .br Griner took to Instagram to express br her thanks to all the people who br played a role in bringing her home. .br I intend to play basketball for br the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury this br season, and in doing so, I look forward br to being able to say 'thank you' to br those of you who advocated, wrote, br and posted for me in person soon, Brittney Griner, via Instagram.br The 2023 WNBA season will begin on May 19.br In 2021, Griner was the Mercury's br top scorer and rebounder. .br In February, Griner was detained by Russian br authorities and sentenced to nine years br in prison on drug smuggling charges. .br On December 9, Griner touched down br in San Antonio following her releasebr as part of a prisoner swap with Russia. .br On December 9, Griner touched down br in San Antonio following her releasebr as part of a prisoner swap with Russia. .br It feels so good to be home! br The last 10 months have been br a battle at every turn. I dug deep br to keep my faith and it was the br love from so many of you that br helped keep me going. , Brittney Griner, via Instagram.br It feels so good to be home! br The last 10 months have been br a battle at every turn. I dug deep br to keep my faith and it was the br love from so many of you that br helped keep me going. , Brittney Griner, via Instagram.br It feels so good to be home! br The last 10 months have been br a battle at every turn. I dug deep br to keep my faith and it was the br love from so many of you that br helped keep me going. , Brittney Griner, via Instagram.