As Brittney Griner’s detention continues, star middle ‘continues to have our full assist,’ WNBA’s Cathy Engelbert says earlier than draft

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed her concern Monday about Phoenix Mercury participant Brittney Griner, and mentioned the league is doing all it could possibly to “convey her house.”

Engelbert addressed the media earlier than the league’s draft in New York, and talked about Griner — who was the league’s No. 1 decide in 2013 — instantly in her opening remarks. Griner was detained at a Moscow airport on Feb. 17 after Russian authorities mentioned a search of her baggage revealed vape cartridges allegedly containing oil derived from hashish, which might carry a most penalty of 10 years in jail.

Russian media reported final month that Griner’s detention has been prolonged till at the very least Might 19. The WNBA’s 26th season begins Might 6.

“That is an unimaginable scenario for BG to be in,” Engelbert mentioned. “She continues to have our full assist. Definitely, we’re making an attempt all the things we are able to, each angle, working along with her authorized illustration, her agent, elected leaders, the administration. Simply everyone in our ecosystem to try to discover methods to get her house safely and as rapidly as we are able to.”

Engelbert mentioned the league would work with the Mercury in supporting Griner’s philanthropic undertaking, referred to as BG’s Coronary heart and Sole Shoe Drive, this season. The drive has gathered new or gently used footwear for homeless individuals within the Phoenix space.

“That can happen in all 12 WNBA markets,” Engelbert mentioned. “The activations we are going to do are supposed to remind us of BG’s spirit of giving, and do the work that she’d be doing if she have been right here, and the work she is going to be a part of us in when she returns.”

ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported throughout the draft telecast that the Mercury intend to pay Griner her total wage for 2022 ($227,900) and that the WNBA is contemplating giving the franchise some “reduction” concerning the wage cap as a consequence of Griner’s absence.

Griner, 31, was the WNBA’s prime choice out of Baylor 9 years in the past and helped lead the Mercury to the league championship in 2014 and the WNBA Finals final season. She can also be a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

“Clearly, we’re in a really complicated geo-political scenario with Russia, Ukraine,” Engelbert mentioned. “We’re getting a ton of assist from the federal government, from specialists. Her illustration is ready to go to with Brittney, we all know she’s protected. However we wish to get her house. We’re following the recommendation … there’s not a day that goes by that we’re not speaking to somebody who has views on what we have been doing and the way we’re shifting ahead.

“I do know we’re all annoyed, however we do should be affected person. The gamers have been superb at following the recommendation they’re getting and we’re getting so as to not jeopardize her security in any manner.”

Engelbert mentioned she informed the gamers the identical factor that she has at all times informed her personal daughter.

“I’d go to the top of the Earth that can assist you in case you’re ever in hassle,” Engelbert mentioned. “And I say the identical factor about Brittney Griner.”