Brittney Griner is one of the most recognizable figures in the WNBA. And the Atlanta Dream star has opted to use her platform and voice to discuss issues far beyond the basketball court, including some that dredge up painful memories from her past.
Her comments related to the protests against President Trump’s ICE agents carry a deeply personal weight, shaped by her experience being detained overseas and her growing concern about the direction of the United States.
The former No.1 overall pick out of Baylor once spent months imprisoned in Russia following an arrest for cannabis possession in August 2022.
Now, she is sounding the alarm amid ongoing controversy involving U.S. Border Patrol and ICE agents.
Drawing comparisons shaped by personal trauma
Having lived through a high-profile detention that drew international attention, Griner believes the lessons from her ordeal should not be ignored.
She is currently promoting a documentary that revisits her time in Russia, and she hopes it will resonate beyond her personal story.
“I hope this film can shed some light into what it could be like if we keep letting this happen,” Griner told The Hollywood Reporter.
“Right now, we’re in a very bad place, especially with everything that’s going on in Minnesota and just across our country. I definitely think people will understand a little bit more now and be able to see some comparisons.”
For Griner, the erosion of trust, the normalization of violence, and the sense of fear surrounding law enforcement echo emotions she once felt while detained abroad.
Since returning to the WNBA, Griner has faced scrutiny not only for her play, but for her willingness to address social and political issues. Still, she insists silence is not an option.
“I am human, and sometimes it gets me worked up, it makes me want to say something,” she said.
“But at the same time, a lot of these people are just looking to get noticed in their mediocre lives, and they need a response from me or whoever they’re attacking to feel important, because they want to get their two seconds of fame. I try to do a good job ignoring it.”
Despite anticipating backlash, Griner remains hopeful that collective action can change the trajectory she fears.
“I hope people get the sense of, ‘when we come together we can stop what’s going on,'” she said. “We can change what’s going on right now in our country.”
Griner’s comments echoed by Wembanyama
The discussion has intensified following two deadly shootings in Minnesota in as many weeks, prompting furious reactions from across the sports world.
Among those speaking out is Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, who offered a raw and emotional response earlier this week.
“You know, PR has tried, but I’m not going to sit here and give some politically correct [answer]. Every day, I wake up and see the news and I’m horrified,” the NBA star said on Tuesday.
“I think that it’s crazy that some people make it sound like it’s acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable.
“I read the news and sometimes I’m asking very deep questions about my own life. I’m conscious also that saying everything that’s on my mind would have a cost that’s too great for me right now. So, I would rather not get into too many details.”
While Wembanyama chose caution, Griner has taken a more direct approach, drawing unsettling parallels between her time in a Russian prison and what she sees unfolding at home.
And if more stars from the NBA and WNBA add their voices in opposition, perhaps then those in power will start to listen.
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