Brittney Griner thanks Biden and supporters in first remarks after release from Russia

US basketball player says she will play in 2023 WNBA season while pushing for Paul Whelan's release

Russia's Foreign Ministry on Thursday said US basketball star Brittney Griner (L) had been traded for Viktor Bout (R) in a prisoner release exchange. AFP

WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner sits in the plane as she flies out of Russia on Friday, December 9, 2022. Russian Federal Security Service / AP

President Joe Biden speaks to reporters about Griner's release. Reuters

Cherelle Griner talks about the release of her wife. Reuters

Mr Biden thanked his administration and the UAE, which enabled Griner's release along with Saudi Arabia. AP

Griner in action in an Arizona game in 2021. Getty Images / AFP

'Welcome home Brittney,' Mr Biden said at the White House. AP

Viktor Bout in 2009 before his extradition to the US. AFP

Nicknamed the Merchant of Death, Bout had been serving a 25-year sentence in the US after being convicted of conspiring to kill Americans and aiding a terrorist organisation. AFP

Griner holds a picture of her basketball team from behind bars. AFP

Griner in action at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Reuters

Mr Biden and others speak to Griner by phone after her release from Russia. Reuters

Griner in action in Saitama, Japan. AP

A Griner supporter at a WNBA basketball game in Chicago in August. AP

Paul Whelan, a former US marine who was arrested for alleged spying. Mr Biden said he would would 'never give up' fighting for his release. AP

The entrance of the IK-2 penal colony in Yavas where Griner was held. AFP

The IK-2 penal colony. AFP

Basketball star Brittney Griner on Friday thanked US President Joe Biden and supporters in her first public remarks after being released from prison in Russia.

“It feels so good to be home!” she wrote in an Instagram post after she was released from medical observation in Texas, which she entered following a prisoner exchange in the UAE.

“The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.”

Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison in August after Russian authorities found cannabis vape cartridges in her luggage at a Moscow airport.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist's sentence came amid rising political tension between Moscow and Washington, as President Vladmir Putin led a military offensive against Ukraine.

She was released as part of a prisoner exchange, in which the US released convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who at the time had been serving a 25-year prison sentence.

“Of course, a special thank you to President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Blinken and the entire Biden-Harris Administration,” Griner wrote.

She said she would be working to help bring other detained Americans home, including Paul Wheelan, also detained in Russia.

“President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too,” Griner added.

“I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you. I also encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole.”

In her post, she also thanked her wife and her family as well as her Phoenix Mercury team and the WNBA.

Griner confirmed that she would be playing in the 2023 basketball season.