Brittney Griner Released From Medical Care, Says She Will Play Again

The WNBA star who was released from Russian captivity on December 8 has left the facility in Texas where she had been undergoing treatment to help reintegrate into American society.

Christopher Wiggins

Christopher Wiggins is The Advocate’s senior national reporter in Washington, D.C., covering the intersection of public policy and politics with LGBTQ+ lives, including The White House, U.S. Congress, Supreme Court, and federal agencies. He has written multiple cover story profiles for The Advocate’s print magazine, profiling figures like Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride, longtime LGBTQ+ ally Vice President Kamala Harris, and ABC Good Morning America Weekend anchor Gio Benitez. Wiggins is committed to amplifying untold stories, especially as the second Trump administration’s policies impact LGBTQ+ (and particularly transgender) rights, and can be reached at christopher.wiggins@equalpride.com or on BlueSky at cwnewser.bsky.social; whistleblowers can securely contact him on Signal at cwdc.98.

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Christopher Wiggins

December 16 2022 6:51 AM EST

October 31 2024 5:23 AM EST

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Brittney Griner has completed her reintegration treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. After leaving the facility, the WNBA star also issued her first public statement since being released from Russian captivity, indicating that she would play basketball again.

On Friday, Griner thanked her family and friends and credited her faith for surviving the ordeal.

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"It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn," Griner wrote on Instagram. "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."

The U.S. government conducted a prisoner swap for Griner, releasing convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout on December 8.

In her Instagram post, Griner can be seen stepping off a private jet in one photo, and in another, she and her wife, Cherelle, are engaged in a long embrace.

"President Biden, you brought me home, and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home, too," Griner continued. "I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you. I also encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole."

Griner said that as she enters the holiday season with her family, she is grateful for the reintegration team at the military facility equipping her with the tools necessary to move ahead with her life.

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She also put speculation over her future to bed, indicating that she would rejoin her team soon.

"I also want to make one thing very clear: I intend to play basketball for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say 'thank you' to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon," Griner wrote.

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