Brittney Griner speaks out for first time since return from Russian prison: ‘Battle at every turn’

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA star Brittney Griner thanked the Biden administration Friday in her first statement since returning to the US last week as part of a prisoner swap with Russia.

Griner, 32, was released in exchange for convicted international arms dealer Viktor Bout on Dec. 8, almost 10 months after she was busted at a Moscow airport with cannabis oil in February.

“It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn,” Griner said on Instagram after her release from a Texas medical facility. “I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.”