The inspiring Brittney Griner story of her return to the court after her wrongful imprisonment in Russia got another chapter this week as the WNBA star was officially named a starter in the upcoming WNBA All-Star game in her return season.
The news comes after Brittney Griner missed all of last season after she was arrested in Russia and given a nine-year prison sentence after authorities found a small amount of prescription cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner served 10 months in Russian custody before returning to the United States by way of a prisoner swap.
Griner made her return to the WNBA this season after spending over a year away from the court. And now not only is she back, but she’s also an All-Star game starter. And people had plenty to say about that on social media this week as a result.
Outside of Aliyah, she's the one I'm most happy for https://t.co/PL0Kc15j42
— JuJu's Bizarre Adventure (@_aisthename) June 25, 2023
Mind boggling how people wanna say it was a pity vote. She’s averaging pretty good stats for this being her first season back in almost 2 yrs. https://t.co/RaKyq2F5Fd
— (Michaela)
(@SimpleMichaelaa) June 25, 2023
LETS GOOOOOO!!!! https://t.co/fJSObq4ddA
— Back2Back2Back
(@Karlton_55) June 25, 2023
This picture fire https://t.co/Sv7zyEzrT8
— KB
(@screamBRIx3) June 25, 2023
#ValleyTogether https://t.co/STC0YtsByL — Cindy Brunson (@CindyBrunsonAZ) June 25, 2023
— Krisi
(@JustKrisi11) June 25, 2023
This will be Griner’s ninth selection as an All-Star, including last year when she was named an honorary All-Star by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The WNBA also honored Griner in a unique way at last year’s All-Star game as both teams wore No. 42 jerseys during the game’s second half as a tribute to her.
But there won’t need to be any special tributes this year – Griner will be there.
[ESPN]