Brittney Griner, the renowned WNBA player, has made her return to the basketball court with her team, the Phoenix Mercury.
In a recent photo released by the team, Griner can be seen smiling and enjoying herself during her shoot-around session.
The 32-year-old basketball star has just signed a one-year deal to return to her former team and is visibly thrilled to be back.
Griner had not played in the WNBA since the 2021 season, during which she led the Mercury to the WNBA Finals by averaging an impressive 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds.
However, last year, she went overseas to play basketball in Russia.
She was arrested at an airport just outside Moscow in February 2022, as Russian authorities claimed she was caught trying to smuggle vape cartridges into the country.
As a result, Griner was detained in Russia for ten months until December 2022, when she returned home in a swap for a high-value Russian prisoner, Viktor Bout.
Despite her ordeal in Russia, Griner has remained determined to return to the WNBA, and she has now made good on her promise.
Over the weekend, she agreed to a deal with the Mercury, the team that originally drafted her with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft.
Although the season does not start until May, Griner is already eager to make a statement this year. She even left her mark on a whiteboard in the Mercury locker room, writing “I’M BACK MF!!”
The photo released by the Mercury shows a beaming Griner, completely at ease on the practice court.
Her infectious smile is a testament to her joy at being back on the basketball court.
As she gears up for the upcoming season, Griner’s positive attitude and infectious smile are sure to inspire her team and fans alike.
