Griner had been enjoying within the Russian Premier League when she was arrested at a Moscow airport in February 2022. She pleaded responsible to the fees, was sentenced to 9 years in jail and despatched to a penal colony.
Her launch was granted after the US authorities struck a cope with Russia in change for Russian arms seller Viktor Bout.
“My entire coronary heart simply fell out of my physique,” added Griner, reflecting on her luggage being searched on the airport.
“Simply this overpowering feeling of like an elevator dropped from beneath my toes. I am similar to, ‘my life is over proper right here’.”
She added: “I needed to take my life greater than as soon as within the first weeks. I felt like leaving right here so badly.”
The Phoenix Mercury participant has since vowed she would now not play abroad except it was with america nationwide workforce.
She additionally stated she was ordered to write down a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin throughout her ordeal.
“They made me write this letter. It was in Russian,” she stated.
“I needed to make an apology and thanks from their so-called nice chief. I did not need to do it, however on the identical time I needed to come back residence.”
Griner, who’s a two-time Olympic gold medallist, made her competitive return enjoying for Phoenix Mercury in opposition to the Los Angeles Sparks in Could 2023.