WNBA sensation Brittney Griner has finally been freed after an unjust detention in a Russian prison for the majority of 2022. Her ordeal began when authorities in Moscow arrested her over a vape cartridge they discovered in her possession.
Thankfully, her four-month ordeal in a Russian prison colony came to an end when President Joe Biden intervened, arranging her release in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Brittney’s release has allowed her to reunite with her unwaveringly supportive family. While many are familiar with Cherelle Griner, Brittney’s wife who relentlessly advocated for her release, there are others in her corner. Particularly her parents, Raymond and Sandra Griner.
Let us get to know more about Brittney Griner parents!
Introducing Brittney Griner Parents: Raymond and Sandra Griner
Brittney has been a powerhouse in the WNBA since she started her stint with the Phoenix Mercury in 2013. However, she has managed to keep her personal life private. As reported by online sources, Brittney is the youngest daughter of Raymond and Sandra. Her father, Raymond, is a war veteran who served in the Vietnam war for two years.
Post his military service, Raymond served as a deputy sheriff in Harris County, Texas, retiring after a commendable 30-year career. Sandra’s professional journey remains largely unknown, but she reportedly dedicated her time to homemaking during Brittney’s growing up years.
Brittney has always endeavored to keep her parents out of the limelight, but occasionally, she shares nostalgic Instagram posts featuring her mother. Her first ever Instagram post is a treasured family picture from her childhood with her mother, sister, and other loved ones.
Fast forward to January 2021, she posted another fond photo from a family reunion, featuring her, Sandra, and Cherelle, declaring them her “#WCW” or “Woman Crush Wednesday.”
“#WCW Goes to my baby @itscherellegriner, and my momma @nanagriner. Had to post this little throwback as well lol,” Brittney wrote. “Backstory: I had told baby to ‘get dress, we going on a date’ but I failed to tell her it was to my family reunion where she met everyone lol! We were some babies in this pic, lol.”
Brittney Griner’s family said her Russian penal colony arrest was “gut-wrenching.”
Brittney’s parents have remained by her side through positive and challenging moments. When her arrest put her career on hold, her sister, SheKera Griner, pleaded for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to bring justice to Brittney’s case. Brittney’s eldest sister explained how devastated her family was by her prison stay.
“For 100 days, I have not seen my Brit,” SheKera said in June 2022, per Insider. “It’s been totally gut-wrenching for myself and my family — her mom and dad, my siblings, myself. I don’t wish this on anyone.”
SheKera said later in the video that her family wanted her “safe and sound where she belongs.” Brittney’s parents never made a public statement, but we’re sure they’re happy to see their daughter arrive home safely.
Meet Brittney Griner
Brittney Griner, a renowned American professional basketball player, is known for her incredible performance with the Phoenix Mercury of the Women’s National Basketball Association. Unexpectedly, she is currently detained in a Russian prison on charges related to drug possession.
Born in Houston on October 18, 1990, Griner’s interest in basketball was nurtured at Nimitz High School, where she honed her skills alongside the boys’ team under the guidance of her school coach. A clip of her exciting dunks drew a massive online audience, with over 6.6 million views on YouTube. In 2013, she started her journey with the Phoenix Mercury WNBA team as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft, and her career has been on an upward trajectory ever since.
However, Griner’s career took a downturn when she was sentenced to a 9-year term in a Russian prison. In July 2022, President Joe Biden approved an envisaged exchange involving Griner and Paul Whelan. However, complications arose when Russia insisted on the inclusion of convicted assassin Vadim Krasikov, currently serving a life sentence in Germany.
The Griner Family
Brittney Griner, the youngest member of a family of four siblings, has a brother named De Carlo and sisters Shekera and Pier. Despite her fame, Griner tends to keep her family out of the public eye, rarely mentioning them in the media. In 2015, she posted a nostalgic photo on Instagram, posing with her mother, sister Pier, and other family members. The unfortunate circumstances surrounding Griner’s incarceration in Russia have been a cause for concern. However, her parents continue to stand by her in the hopes of her safe return, despite the current diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Russia.
Griner’s Family Reacts to Her Imprisonment
Brittney Griner parents have been a constant source of support throughout her highs and lows. The news of her arrest and subsequent incarceration was particularly hard for her family. Her sister, SheKera Griner, made an impassioned appeal to President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to intervene in Brittney’s case. SheKera openly shared the family’s heartbreak over Brittney’s imprisonment during an interview with Insider in June 2022.
“It’s been 100 agonizing days since I last saw my Britt,” SheKera confessed. “This has been an absolute nightmare for me, my parents, my siblings, and myself. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”
She later expressed the family’s collective wish to have Brittney back “safe and sound where she belongs”. While her parents have refrained from making public statements, it’s evident that they are eagerly waiting for their daughter’s safe return.
