Brittney Griner given standing ovation upon her return to WNBA

Brittney Griner was given a hero's welcome as she made her return to the basketball court following her detainment in Russia.

Her time behind bars on foreign soil left many people split, with some believing she deserved to serve the time after breaking the law, while other big-name celebs were demanding for her to be released.

Now she has made her first WNBA appearance since arriving home on U.S. shores and she was greeted with a standing ovations from the crowd.

Back in early 2022, the Griner was arrested and charged for bringing vape cartridges containing marijuana into Russia.

She was subsequently found guilty of drug smuggling and slapped with a nine-and-a-half-year sentence.

After 10 months behind bars, Griner was released after United State officials reached an agreement to swap her for a notorious Russian firearms dealer detained in America – a move which angered people even more, it seemed.

Now the eight-time WNBA All-Star has made her return to the court for the first time since her ordeal, given a hero's welcome by the Phoenix Mercury fans.

Despite only being a preseason game, there was still plenty of people in attendance to witness Griner's comeback, many of whom rising to their feet to clap and cheer while her name was announced over the PA system.

Griner only played 17 minutes in her side's 90-71 loss against the LA Sparks, although she did score 10 points accompanied with three rebounds.

At one point following her sentencing, it was widely accepted that she'd never play a WNBA game again.

So to be able to step out onto the court would have been a special moment.

Speaking after the game, her first one for the Mercury since October of 2021, Griner told reporters that she was "grateful".

"I didn't think I would be sitting right here," she said.

I didn't think I would be playing basketball this quickly... it was a lot to take in."

In July of 2020, Griner made headlines when she admitted that she didn't feel that the American national anthem should be played inside arenas during the WNBA season.

Her statements were in response to the social justice protests at the time.

Now, since being held in a Russian penal colony, the 6-foot-9-inch centre has changed her stance.

“Hearing the national anthem, it definitely hit different,” she said of her return.

“It’s like when you go for the Olympics, you’re sitting there, about to get gold put on your neck, the flags are going up and the anthem is playing, it just hits different. Being here today. It means a lot.”

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/eliavgabay/Alamy

Topics: NBA, Russia, Basketball, US Sports, United States

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry