WNBA star Brittney Griner has shared details about her difficult experience in a Russian prison following her 2022 arrest in Moscow. Griner, who was sentenced to nine years after cannabis oil cartridges were found in her luggage, described her distress during incarceration, which included poor living conditions and significant emotional challenges. Griner spoke about the tough moment she had to cut her dreadlocks due to the cold in the penal colony where she was tasked with making military uniforms.

She was eventually classified as “unlawfully detained,” a status similar to other Americans held in Russia. In an ABC interview, Griner disclosed that she contemplated suicide during the early weeks of her detention, a time marked by intense personal despair. Her incarceration coincided with heightened geopolitical tensions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Griner’s release was secured through a prisoner exchange involving Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. She expressed regret that her departure did not include fellow American detainee Paul Whelan. Since her return, Griner has resumed her basketball career with the Phoenix Mercury and is expecting a baby with her wife Cherelle. Her experiences and reflections during captivity will be detailed in her upcoming memoir, “Coming Home,” due to release on May 7.