As more light is being shed on Brittney Griner, more people continue to speak out publicly.
Brittney’s coach/Phoenix Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard spoke to reporters about her team player being detained in Russia. Vanessa expressed her frustration over the situation. In addition, she said it’s more challenging getting Brittney back on American land since BG is a woman, LGBTQ+, and BLACK.
Vanessa told reporters, “If it was LeBron, he’d be home, right?” She continued, “It’s a statement about the value of women. It’s a statement about the value of a Black person. It’s a statement about the value of a gay person. All of those things. We know it, and so that’s what hurts a little more.”
Earlier this year, Vanessa compared the news coverage of a white woman who went missing last year, Gabby Petito, and said the news covered the story 24/7. Vanessa feels BG isn’t even getting half of that attention. Venessa said,
“That white woman that was hiking, and we did everything to find her. She was from Florida, and she went on a hike, and her boyfriend killed her. How much attention went to that? BG hasn’t got half that attention. And that’s a crime. And that’s a statement about our society and who we value, and we need to change that.” It should be noted, LeBron fans pointed out they don’t think they player would have done the same thing as BG, carrying cannabis oil overseas.
Last week, we reported that Brittney is “terrified” she may be in Russia “forever.” The trial started on July 1 in Moscow. Brittney, who is nearly seven feet tall, reportedly has to travel in a tiny cage round trip just for court.
Russian authorities accused Brittney of smuggling cannabis oil in her luggage, and she’s been detained since February. Brittney recently penned a plea to POTUS Joe Biden. CNN reports he responded to Brittney, and her wife, Cherelle Griner. In the letter, he said he’s “working to secure Brittney’s release soon as possible, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other US nationals who are wrongfully detained or held hostage in Russia and around the world.”
Brittney Griner’s WNBA coach Vanessa Nygaard reacts to Cherelle Griner’s call with President Biden: ‘Fantastic news.’ @vanygaard @MSNBC https://t.co/zfGBDlzbdt
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) July 6, 2022
Brittney must remain in jail overseas for six additional months as her case goes on. She’s facing 10 years.