Brittney Griner Ecstatic Over Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich's Release: "Head Over Heels"

Brittney Griner Ecstatic Over Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich's Release

"Great day," Griner exclaimed from Paris, where she is currently competing in women's basketball for Team USA at the Olympics. "I'm head over heels happy for the families right now. Any day that Americans come home, that's a win." Speaking to reporters after the U.S. women's team secured an 87-74 victory over Belgium, advancing to the quarterfinals, Griner described the moment as "definitely emotional."

"I'm sure it will be even more emotional a little later on. Yeah, I'm just happy. This was a big win. Huge win," she added.

Griner also acknowledged the importance of the support network for the returning Americans, drawing parallels to her own experience. "I know they have an amazing group of people that are going to help them out -- them and their families," she said, reflecting on the assistance she received in "getting reacclimated into everyday life."

Later, in an Instagram statement, Brittney and her wife Cherelle Griner expressed their joy and relief, commending the Biden-Harris Administration for their leadership. "The Biden-Harris Administration showed true leadership once again by doing whatever it took to bring Americans home. Every American returned is a win," their statement read.

While celebrating the return of Gershkovich and Whelan, the Griners also extended their thoughts to those still detained overseas. "Our hearts go out to the many Americans still being held hostage overseas, and their families," they wrote, urging continued efforts to highlight the plight of detained Americans.

Griner's own ordeal began in February 2022, when she was detained at Russia's Sheremetyevo International Airport for possessing vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. She pleaded guilty to drug charges in July 2022, claiming the inclusion of the cartridges in her luggage was accidental. Griner was released in December 2022 following a prisoner swap that saw the U.S. release convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.