Dream's Brittney Griner relives horrific moments before Russian prisoner swap
With Brittney Griner being a focal point of the Atlanta Dream's frontcourt, she is back to her usual WNBA production, which was a process of its own after being released from prison in Russia via a prisoner swap. While Griner is having a resurgence with the Dream currently, she harkens back to her time in prison, speaking about the disturbing moments that led to the swap.
Griner was in a sit-down interview with former NFL quarterback Cam Newton where the topic was on her time in a Russian prison, where she was originally sentenced to nine years back in 2022 over having vape cartridges containing hash oil. She would go into detail about how she was treated before the eventual prisoner swap with Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer.
'The trade took a little minute to happen too on the back end on my end,' Griner said. 'I had to get transferred from the penal colony to the men's prison in Moscow, and I got checked into there. I knew I was getting traded, but the way they were treating me and their one little last play to terrorize me or mess with me, because when they were checking me in.'
'They had me basically stripped down butt naked in front of a room of like probably about seven, eight men, and they had the Polaroid and they got me spinning in a circle while they're like taking photos, because my tattoos are, you know, whatever they are,' Griner continued. 'That was their last little, I guess, addict to mess with me.'
Dream's Brittney Griner on the moments before prisoner swap
With Griner in a new phase of her life after the events in Russia, there is no denying how stressful of an experience it must have been in the leadup to the swap. Griner would detail how she wouldn't trust anything around her in the chance she would be harmed, and also spoke about the relief when she realized home is around the corner.
'They're trying to offer me to eat,' Griner said. 'They're like we've got food. They said we've got steak. I'm like, no, I'm not about to get poisoned before I go home because I don't trust y'all. So we land I see the other plane on the other side. I know it's an American plane. I see the American flag on it. I'm just like, alright, home is close.'
'We made one little pit stop to some people that were high up in Abu Dhabi that made this possible,' Griner continued. 'Shook their hands and thanked them. They said if I ever wanted to come here, I could. I'm just like I appreciate you. In my mind, I'm like, I don't plan on leaving the country ever again. I'm good, we've got beaches right at the US Of A, I'm good.'
Griner and the Dream next play on Tuesday as they take on the Las Vegas Aces.
Related: Allisha Gray drops truth bomb on 'underrated' WNBA career
Related: Brittney Griner's teammate gets 100% real on Dream's frontcourt
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fast Company
10 minutes ago
- Fast Company
Angel Reese's style secret is versatility
As a forward on the Chicago Sky, Angel Reese is one of the most dominant players in the WNBA, and when she joined us to speak about being named to our Best Dressed in Business, she'd just broken league records by closing her fourth consecutive game with 15+ rebounds. (When critics panned her for 'mebounding,' she trademarked it.) It all embodies how Reese's draft class did more than add fresh competition to the league when it arrived with a splash in 2024. It awakened the spectacle of the sport, celebrating the uniqueness of players who broke free from their uniforms with expressive, pregame tunnel walks—a critical piece in increasing sponsors 19% that year and viewership by 170%. 'A lot of the women already had the fashion, and I think the platform really helped them,' says Reese. 'I think coming to the league with all the eyes that we had, it really shined a light on them and gave them the flowers that they deserve.' Long before she joined the Met Gala host committee or had partnerships with Good American and Reebok (her signature Reese 1, inspired by diamonds, was announced this month), Reese earned the nickname Bayou Barbie for her glam perspective, even on the court, which was part of her game as long as she remembers. 'I always had my hair done, and my nails were painted,' she recalls. 'My grandma used to put mascara on my lashes, and she brushed my hair up nicely. It was always 'dress to impress.'' Reese's passion for fashion was spurred on through her mother's closet, from which she'd steal bags and heels, the latter of which felt tricky for her 6' 3' frame. 'I think it took me a while to feel confident in heels, going out, because I was already so tall,' she says. 'But once I got older and seeing how much I stood out, it made me feel, like, super confident and bold.' That boldness is a throughline of her 'fits—and perhaps the only one she cares much about. When I mention her silhouettes tend to embrace high waists and crop tops, she shrugs off any trends you might see, and insists she wants to have the opposite of any signature look. 'Sometimes I'll go streetwear. Sometimes I'll go super girly,' she says. 'I don't really identify myself as dressing one type of way. [Though] I am into high fashion for sure. So you probably see me with a nice bag, nice pair of glasses.' Describe your style in a sentence. I am versatile. What's the one piece in your closet you'll never get rid of? I think my bags. I've created a collection of bags, when I see it, I need it, I have it. I'm in collector mode, in my vintage era. I just got this double flap Chanel bag, it's orange, and I love it. How long does it take you to get dressed in the morning? If I'm only going to practice, it doesn't take me long. But when I'm getting ready for a game? An hour, for sure. What do you wear to a big meeting? I don't really have meetings [laughs]. Most of these things are on Zoom these days. I don't want to meet people or go to their office. What's the best piece of fashion advice you've ever gotten? Be confident in your skin. Law Roach kind of told me before, don't care what anybody else has to say. Like, as long as you're confident in it and you feel good in it. It's aura. You have to have aura.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Atlanta United honors Children's Healthcare of Atlanta patients at match
Patients overcoming pediatric illnesses were honored during Atlanta United's Pediatric Illness Awareness match against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta United partnered with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to honor the strength and resiliency of patients during the match. Barzi, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, which caused him to have his leg amputated, walked on stage to hit the golden spike. He also designed a special scarf for the match that highlighted special moments of his life. Alejandro, who lives with sickle cell anemia, served as Atlanta United's honorary captain. Colton, who was diagnosed with b-cell acute lymphatic leukemia two years ago, rang the honorary bell at halftime. For him, it was a special ceremony that marked the end of his cancer treatment. And Rowan, an avid Atlanta United fan who recently had his appendix removed at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital, was the in-stadium graphic designer. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Walton County family sues after home sold using forged deed PHOTOS: Best 25 public middle schools in Georgia Geo-fencing technology leads to arrest in 71-year-old grandmother's cold case murder [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Russian deserters given brutal punishments
Russian deserters given brutal punishments In multiple disturbing videos circulated on social media, Russian servicemen have been mistreated on the battlefield after allegedly deserting. CNN's Andrew Carey reports. 01:43 - Source: CNN Fans in England celebrate Women's Euro 2025 final win Fans celebrate in London as England has been crowned champion of Europe for the second successive time after defeating Spain 3-1 on penalties in the Women's Euro 2025 final. 00:30 - Source: CNN Breaking down Israel's aid drops into Gaza In the midst of a hunger crisis in Gaza, Israel and other countries have begun dropping aid by plane into the area. CNN's Nic Robertson breaks down how much effect this measure can offer, while the UN calls for substantial relief to come from aid trucks moving in quickly through open corridors. 01:15 - Source: CNN People fight for scraps of food in Gaza CNN's Nic Robertson reports on the scarce food conditions in Gaza, with children and mothers fighting off starvation as soup kitchens face shortages. 01:46 - Source: CNN 18 people dead after Peru bus accident At least 18 people have died and 24 were injured after a bus overturned in the Province of Junín, in Central Peru. The cause of the accident is still being investigated. 00:28 - Source: CNN Rare snow leopard baby born at UK zoo Video released by Chester Zoo in the United Kingdom shows a rare snow leopard cub taking its first steps. The baby was the first of its kind born at the facility in its 94-year history. Snow leopards are currently listed as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. 01:14 - Source: CNN Trump tells Israel to 'finish the job' against Hamas 00:41 - Source: CNN Desperate fishermen risk their lives to get food in Gaza Israel reissued a warning prohibiting anyone from entering Gaza's sea, but hunger drives desperate people to fish. CNN's Jeremy Diamond reports. 02:08 - Source: CNN 'The level of destruction is enormous': Says Cardinal about Gaza Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, recently toured Gaza after what Israel says was stray ammunition that struck Gaza's only Catholic church, killing three people. He recounts what he witnessed with CNN's Erin Burnett. 01:17 - Source: CNN Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting? Tensions are rising between Thailand and Cambodia over a border dispute that dates back to 1907. CNN's Will Ripley explains how the conflict has escalated. 01:32 - Source: CNN CNN reports from Gaza aid crossing CNN's Nic Robertson is on the scene at the Kerem Shalom border crossing as aid agencies warn of rampant hunger caused by Israel's blockade of Gaza. Gaza's health ministry said on Tuesday that 900,000 children are going hungry, and 70,000 already show signs of malnutrition. Israel denies it is at fault and accuses Hamas of 'engineering' food shortages. 01:39 - Source: CNN Reopening the ancient tunnels 75 feet under Rome CNN's Ben Wedeman was given an exclusive tour of ancient tunnels underneath Rome's Capitoline Hill. The tunnels, which archeologists say were once filled with ancient Roman shops and taverns, are set to open to the public in late 2026 or early 2027. 02:02 - Source: CNN Ukraine sees first major anti-government protests since start of war Hundreds took to the streets after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a new law limiting the autonomy of anti-corruption agencies in his government. 01:03 - Source: CNN Peruvian police use superhero disguise during drug raid An agent in the Peruvian police force disguised themselves as the Mexican superhero character El Chapulín Colorado during a drug raid in the nation's capital of Lima. Police said six members of a criminal gang were captured and that cocaine paste, marijuana, cell phones, and money were seized. 00:38 - Source: CNN Distressing images show starvation in Gaza Distressing video footage shows a 41-year-old man in Gaza who died of starvation as humanitarian organizations urge for Israel to end its blockade of the enclave. CNN's Jeremy Diamond reports. 01:57 - Source: CNN Small Irish town confronts its dark past Excavations of the remains of nearly 800 babies have begun at a former so-called mother and baby home in Tuam, Ireland. At least 9,000 infants and children died in more than a dozen of these institutions over the course of eight decades. 02:11 - Source: CNN Fire tornado rips through Turkish forest Turkey's forestry ministry has released video of a fire tornado tearing through the country's woodland. Hundreds of wildfires have gripped Turkey this summer, as well as Greece and other Mediterranean countries. 00:33 - Source: CNN Concerns grow over Australia's toxic algae bloom A harmful algae bloom off the coast of South Australia, caused by high sea temperatures and runoff from flooding, is poisoning marine life and depleting oxygen in the water. The Australian government has stated that there is little that can be done to reverse the rapid rate of the climate crisis. 01:10 - Source: CNN International visitors to US will pay new fee CNN's Richard Quest explains how the Trump administration enacted a bill that will require international visitors to pay a new 'visa integrity fee' of $250 dollars. The fee will apply to all visitors who are required to obtain nonimmigrant visas to enter the US. 01:36 - Source: CNN Mexico City residents furious over gentrification Mexico City saw its second anti-gentrification protest in less than a month on Sunday with demonstrators furious over rising prices in the city and the record number of foreigners applying for a resident visa. The main nationality of those foreigners seeking to move legally to the nation's capital? The United States of America. 01:11 - Source: CNN Child flees Israeli strike on Gaza refugee camp Video shows a child running away as Israeli munitions struck near a UNRWA school in Bureij Refugee Camp behind her. 00:36 - Source: CNN China cracks down on fake "Lafufu" Labubus Fake Labubu plush toys, dubbed "Lafufu," have gained popularity due to shortages of the original dolls made by China's Pop Mart. 02:05 - Source: CNN Jair Bolsonaro denies coup charges as police raid home Police in Brazil raided the home of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and enforced a ruling from the country's Supreme Court that Bolsonaro wear an electronic ankle tag. Bolsonaro is being accused of plotting to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election. 01:17 - Source: CNN Taiwan conducts 10-day military drill The Taiwanese government is preparing for a war they hope will never happen. For the first time this year, Taiwan combined two major civil defense exercises, with the drills lasting ten days. These drills have included urban combat, mass casualty simulations, emergency supply drops and cyber defense that could be enacted if an invasion was to occur. CNN's Senior International Correspondent, Will Ripley, reports. 01:44 - Source: CNN Deadly flooding grips South Korea for days South Korea has been ravaged for days by intense flooding that's left more than a dozen people dead. Reuters reported more than 16 inches of rain fell in one area in just 24 hours, citing the country's Interior and Safety Ministry. 00:48 - Source: CNN Brazil's Lula tells Christiane Amanpour: Trump 'Was not elected to be emperor of the world' Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva tells CNN's Christiane Amanpour in an exclusive interview it was 'a surprise' to see President Donald Trump's letter posted to Truth Social, threatening Brazil with a crippling tariff of 50% starting August 1st. Lula says that he initially thought the letter was 'fake news.' Watch the full 'Amanpour' interview on CNN. 01:33 - Source: CNN Gaza's only Catholic church hit by Israeli strike Gaza's only Catholic church was struck by an Israeli tank, killing three and injuring many more, church officials said. It became internationally recognized after reports emerged that the late Pope Francis used to call the church daily. CNN's Nada Bashir reports 00:53 - Source: CNN Prince Harry recreates his mother's historic landmine walk Following in his mother's footsteps, Prince Harry visited Angola's minefields just as Princess Diana did 28 years ago. The Duke of Sussex was in Angola with The Halo Trust as part of the group's efforts to clear landmines. 00:39 - Source: CNN Massive fire destroys Tomorrowland's main stage Tomorrowland's main stage went up in flames just days ahead of the festival's opening in Boom, Belgium. 00:38 - Source: CNN How Trump's image is changing inside Russia Once hailed as a pro-Kremlin figure, President Donald Trump's image is changing inside Russia. It comes after Trump vowed further sanctions on the country if a peace agreement with Ukraine is not reached in 50 days. CNN's Chief Global Affairs Correspondent is on the ground in Moscow with the analysis. 01:41 - Source: CNN Who are the armed groups clashing in Syria? Dozens were killed in Syria this week after clashes between government loyalists and Druze militias in the southern city of Suwayda, prompting Syrian forces to intervene. That, in turn, triggered renewed Israeli airstrikes. 01:57 - Source: CNN Syrian anchor takes cover from airstrike live on TV An airstrike on the Syrian Ministry of Defense was captured live on Syria TV, forcing the anchor to take cover. Israel has been carrying out airstrikes on Syria as part of its commitment to protect the Druze, an Arab minority at the center of clashes with government loyalists. 00:30 - Source: CNN
