A Russian court sentenced Brittney Griner to nine years of jail time on Aug 4, and support poured in for the WNBA star.
Griner was arrested in February after the Russian Federal Customs Service claimed it found hashish oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport. The New York Times reported that a criminal case had been opened into the "large-scale transportation of drugs."
Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court hearing in early July. She said she did not want to break the law and packed for her trip in a hurry.
President Joe Biden released a statement calling the sentencing "unacceptable." Griner's defense lawyers reportedly said that they would appeal Thursday's verdict.
MORE: The complete Brittney Griner detainment timeline
Many NBA and WNBA players took to social media to react to the latest on Griner.
What is truly happening with our Queen @brittneygriner @POTUS @VP ? Please give us an Update.
— A11Even (@KyrieIrving) August 4, 2022
Please @POTUS @VP Bring @brittneygriner home🙏🏾 Please go get her! We will not stop advocating and standing in the gap for her… God put a hedge of protection around her mind and spirit…
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) August 4, 2022
Devasted. Prayers that these negotiations are swift to get Brittney home immediately. #WeAreBG
— Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) August 4, 2022
Praying for BG man…this is breaking my heart seeing her right now 😔😔😔
— Lexie Brown (@Lexiebrown) August 4, 2022
i just.. watching that live of BG…💔💔
— Amanda Zahui B. (@AmandaZahuiB) August 4, 2022
praying so hard for BG man 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 no words fr. 💔💔💔
— dιjonaι carrιngтon♛ (@DijonaiVictoria) August 4, 2022
Jesus Christ! This ain’t right man… bring BG home. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/zjfnbTwhv2
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) August 4, 2022
No way they did that to BG!!!! No way!!!! God be with her please
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) August 4, 2022
FREE BG 🧡💜
— Jaden Ivey (@IveyJaden) August 4, 2022
Praying for BG https://t.co/yzfhut12Kl
— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) August 4, 2022
BG❤️
— Chelsea Gray (@cgray209) August 4, 2022
9 years.
— Wilson Chandler (@wilsonchandler) August 4, 2022
That’s not about that petty amount of cannabis. She’s a prisoner of war.
#FreeBrittneyGriner we will not stop advocating for you release. Hold on to God unchanging hand. We love you, BG! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) August 4, 2022
Heartbroken for BG 💔
— michaela onyenwere 🤍 (@monyenwere_) August 4, 2022
9 years?! I’m really at a lost for words! We love you BG! 💔
— LIQUID | Powerzsurge (@aerial_powers23) August 4, 2022
We love you BG. ❤️🙏🏾
— Jasmine Thomas (@jaszthomas) August 4, 2022
WNBA, NBA commissioners release statement
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement regarding Brittney Griner: pic.twitter.com/9z4IanOOHg
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) August 4, 2022