Brittney Griner is writing a book about her time in Russian prison

Brittney Griner is writing a book that will detail her 'unfathomable' 10-month stint in a Russian prison.

Back in early 2022, the WNBA star 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.

Her detainment on foreign soil left people divided with some big-name celebs calling for her release while others insisted she deserved to do the time for breaking the law.

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.

Alamy

Since her release, the eight-time WNBA All-Star has remained relatively quiet about her detainment – until now.

Griner has reportedly penned a deal with publisher Alfred A. Knopf to write a memoir about her experience in Russia.

"For the first time Griner recounts the tumultuous events of 2022 that both reshaped her life and captured the world’s attention: Griner’s arrest at the Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow on February 17, followed by her detention, trial, and imprisonment in Russia," Knopf says about the book, slated to be released mid-next year," Knopf said.

The publisher added that she will write about her "surreal time living in a foreign prison and the terrifying aspects of day-to-day life in a women’s penal colony" which will explore "her raw, emotional journey from Olympic champion to hostage to her life today".

Alamy

This book will mark the first time that Griner has broken her silence and gone into detail about her time behind bars.

“I arrived in Moscow to rejoin the UMMC Ekaterinburg basketball team and was immediately detained at the airport. That day was the beginning of an unfathomable period in my life which only now am I ready to share,” Griner said of the book.

“After an incredibly challenging 10 months in detainment, I am grateful to have been rescued and to be home. Readers will hear my story and understand why I’m so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world."

Interestingly, the project will aim to highlight a bunch of different issues too.

It's understood Griner wants to address "the issue of pay equity for women athletes in the United States — the very inequity that led Griner to play basketball in Russia for seven previous seasons and to return for an eighth on that fateful February day."

She also hopes to "raise awareness surrounding other Americans wrongfully detained abroad".

Topics: Basketball, Russia, NBA

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