Friday will mark the first time in 580 days that Brittney Griner will take the court for a regular or post-season WNBA basketball game.
Her return to play for the Phoenix Mercury following a 10-month detainment in Russia is news in itself, her play vs. the Los Angeles Sparks notwithstanding. Another potential storyline from Crypto.com Arena doubtless will surround the national anthem, and whether Griner will stand, kneel or be present at all during its playing.
Griner made headlines following a May 12 preseason game after commenting positively on "The Star-Spangled Banner," reversing comments she made in 2020 regarding its playing at WNBA games. Regardless of what she says or does surrounding the national anthem on Friday, it's likely to be a talking point.
Here's everything you need to know about Brittney Griner's stance on the national anthem and how it's a departure from previous comments she made about it:
MORE: Brittney Griner emotional in first remarks since Russian release
Did Brittney Griner stand for national anthem in preseason game?
Yes, Griner stood for the playing of the national anthem during the Mercury's May 12 preseason game vs. the Sparks, against whom she scored 10 points in 17 minutes.
Griner said after the preseason game the national anthem "hit different" following her 10-month detainment in Russia and subsequent release.
Britney Griner talking on the podium discusses about whether it felt differently when the National Anthem hit.#ValleyTogether#WNBA pic.twitter.com/G0TUMJUPG4
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) May 13, 2023
"Hearing the national anthem, it definitely hit different. It's like when you go for the Olympics, you're sitting there, about to get gold put on your neck, the flags are going up and the anthem's going, it just hits different. But being here right now today, it definitely hits different."
Griner's release from Russia was part of a concerted effort by the U.S.
Joe Biden's administration declared Griner "wrongfully detained" on May 3 and reportedly began working in early June to negotiate a prisoner swap of Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Whelan ultimately was not part of the prisoner swap and is still serving a 16-year sentence on charges of espionage by Russia.
MORE: Brittney Griner to release memoir retelling Russia detainment
What did Brittney Griner say about national anthem?
Griner in 2020 said the WNBA should no longer play the national anthem ahead of games.
"I honestly feel we should not play the national anthem during our season," she told The Arizona Republic on July 27, 2020. "I think we should take that much of a stand.
"I don't mean that in any disrespect to our country. My dad was in Vietnam and a law officer for 30 years. I wanted to be a cop before basketball. I do have pride for my country."
Her comments came at a time of national outrage and protests against police brutality and systemic racism against the Black population — highlighted by the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd in February, March and May of that year, respectively.
"I'm going to protest regardless," Griner said at the time. "I'm not going to be out there for the national anthem. If the league continues to want to play it, that's fine. It will be all season long, I'll not be out there. I feel like more are going to probably do the same thing.
"I can only speak for myself."