WNBA star Brittney Griner is writing a memoir about her time spent in a Russian prison last year, according to a publishing company.
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According to a news release from publisher Alfred A. Knopf, Griner, 34, is expected to release the book during the spring of 2024.
“After an incredibly challenging 10 months in detainment, I am grateful to have been rescued and to be home. Readers will hear my story and understand why I’m so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world,” Griner said in the news release.
The 6-foot-9 center, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who is returning to the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, was detained in Russia on Feb. 17, 2022, ESPN reported.
She had played during WNBA offseasons for UMMC Ekaterinburg, a Russian women’s team since 2014, ESPN reported. She was traveling to rejoin the team when she was detained.
Authorities at a Moscow-area airport said they found less than a gram of hashish oil in vape canisters in Griner’s luggage, according to The Athletic . Following her arrest, Griner was investigated for the “large-scale transportation of drugs” and went on trial in July 2022, the publication reported.
“That day (in February) was the beginning of an unfathomable period in my life which only now am I ready to share,” Griner said in the statement released by Alfred A. Knopf.
Griner pleaded guilty to bringing the vape cartridges and cannabis oil into the country and was sentenced to 9 1/2 years in prison, The Washington Post reported. The State Department deemed her to be “wrongfully detained” and launched negotiations aimed at bringing her home.
In November 2022, Griner was transferred to a penal colony in the Russian region of Mordovia, according to CBS News.
In December, Griner returned to the U.S. after being released in a prisoner swap. She was released and the U.S. freed Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Officials attempted to also secure the release of Paul Whelan, an American who has been jailed on espionage charges in Russia since 2018, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
“By writing this book, I also hope to raise awareness surrounding other Americans wrongfully detained abroad such as Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Emad Shargi, Airan Berry, Shahab Dalili, Luke Denman, Eyvin Hernandez, Majd Kamalmaz, Jerrel Kenemore, Kai Li, Siamak Namazi, Austin Tice, Mark Swidan and Morad Tahbaz,” Griner wrote in an Instagram post .
Reagan Arthur, executive vice president at Alfred A. Knopf, called Griner “a trailblazing pioneer in the world of sports for over a decade.”
“Her memoir recounts not only one of the biggest news stories of 2022 but also centers on a personal story of survival and hope,” Arthur said in a statement. “Knopf has published the works of sports heroes such as Andre Agassi, Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King, and Diana Nyad, and now Brittney’s book will proudly stand alongside this legendary list.”
Griner’s first book, “ In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court ,” was published in April 2014.
Through the years SAN ANTONIO - APRIL 04: Center Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears is pressured by Tina Charles #31 and Caroline Doty #5 of the Connecticut Huskies during the Women's Final Four Semifinals at the Alamodome on April 4, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (Jeff Gross/Getty Images) Through the years DENVER, CO - APRIL 01: Nnemkadi Ogwumike #30 of the Stanford Cardinal looks to pass in the first half against Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears during the National Semifinal game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 1, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) Through the years DENVER, CO - APRIL 01: Nnemkadi Ogwumike #30 of the Stanford Cardinal drives for a shot attempt in the second half against the Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears during the National Semifinal game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 1, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) Through the years DENVER, CO - APRIL 01: Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears reaches for a rebound in the first half against Chiney Ogwumike #13 of the Stanford Cardinal during the National Semifinal game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 1, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) Through the years DENVER, CO - APRIL 01: Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears reaches for a rebound in the second half against Chiney Ogwumike #13 of the Stanford Cardinal during the National Semifinal game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 1, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) Through the years DENVER, CO - APRIL 03: Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears celebrates late in the second ahlf against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the National Final game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 3, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) Through the years DENVER, CO - APRIL 03: Brittney Griner #42 of the Baylor Bears celebrates after she cuts down a piece of the net after they won 80-61 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the National Final game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at Pepsi Center on April 3, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 11: College basketball player Brittney Griner poses with the Best Female Athlete Award in the press room during the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 18: 2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball champion Baylor University Lady Bears 6-foot 8-inch junior center Brittney Griner pumps her fist as U.S. President Barack Obama talks about her basketball skills in the East Room of the White House July 18, 2012 in Washington, DC. The Baylor Lady Bears became the first NCAA basketball team to complete a 40-0 season by defeating Notre Dame 80-61 in the NCAA women's championship. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 25: Brittney Griner #15 of the USA Basketball Women's National team drives to the basket past the defense of Kiah Stokes #11 USA Basketball Women's Select team in the second half of the game at Galen Center on July 25, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) Through the years RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 12: Brittney Griner #15 of United States stands attended for the national anthem before the women's basketball game against Canada on Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Youth Arena on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Through the years RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 20: Brittney Griner #15 and head coach Geno Auriemma of the United States celebrate winning the Women's Gold Medal Game between United States and Spain on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) (Tom Pennington/Getty Images) Through the years RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 20: Laura Nicholls #4 of Spain goes for the ball against Brittney Griner #15 of United States during the Women's Gold Medal Game between United States and Spain on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Through the years PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 31: Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm looses the ball as she drives past Brittney Griner #42 and DeWanna Bonner #24 of the Phoenix Mercury during game three of the WNBA Western Conference Finals at Talking Stick Resort Arena on August 31, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Through the years SAITAMA, JAPAN - JULY 27: Brittney Griner #15 of Team United States celebrates against Nigeria during a Women's Preliminary Round Group B game on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on July 27, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) Through the years SAITAMA, JAPAN - AUGUST 08: Brittney Griner #15 of Team United States drives to the basket against Team Japan during the first half of the Women's Basketball final game on day sixteen of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games at Saitama Super Arena on August 08, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Bryan Snyder - Pool/Getty Images) (Bryan Snyder - Pool/Getty Images) Through the years SAITAMA, JAPAN - AUGUST 08: Brittney Griner #15 of Team United States drives to the basket against Team Japan during the first half of the Women's Basketball final game on day sixteen of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games at Saitama Super Arena on August 08, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Eric Gay - Pool/Getty Images) (Eric Gay - Pool/Getty Images) Through the years SAITAMA, JAPAN - AUGUST 06: Brittney Griner #15 of Team United States looks on against Serbia during the second half of a Women's Basketball Semifinals game on day fourteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on August 06, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Through the years SAITAMA, JAPAN - AUGUST 08: Brittney Griner, Skylar Diggins, and Diana Taurasi of Team United States pose for photographs with their gold medals during the Women's Basketball medal ceremony on day sixteen of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games at Saitama Super Arena on August 08, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Through the years SAITAMA, JAPAN - AUGUST 02: Marine Fauthoux #4 of Team France goes up for a shot against Brittney Griner #15 of Team United States during the first half of a Women's Basketball Preliminary Round Group B game on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on August 02, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Charlie Neibergall - Pool/Getty Images) (Charlie Neibergall - Pool/Getty Images) Through the years PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 31: Diamond DeShields #1 of the Chicago Sky lays up a shot ahead of Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half of the WNBA game at the Footprint Center on August 31, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Through the years PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 23: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury goes up for a jump ball against the New York Liberty during the first half of the first round WNBA playoffs at Grand Canyon University Arena on September 23, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Through the years TEMPE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 03: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury handles the ball during Game Three of the 2021 WNBA semifinals at Desert Financial Arena on October 03, 2021 in Tempe, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Aces 87-60. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Through the years PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 06: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half in Game Four of the 2021 WNBA semifinals at Footprint Center on October 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Through the years LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 08: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury kisses her wife Cherelle Griner in the stands after the Mercury defeated the Las Vegas Aces 87-84 in Game Five of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals to win the series at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 8, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Through the years LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 08: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with Mercury President Vince Kozar after the team defeated the Las Vegas Aces 87-84 in Game Five of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals to win the series at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 8, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Through the years LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 08: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after the team defeated the Las Vegas Aces 87-84 in Game Five of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs semifinals to win the series at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 8, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Through the years PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 13: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury puts up a shot over Azurá Stevens #30 of the Chicago Sky during the second half in Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Footprint Center on October 13, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Sky 91-86 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Through the years PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 13: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury slam dunks the ball against the Chicago Sky during the first half in Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Footprint Center on October 13, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Through the years CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 17: Courtney Vandersloot #22 of the Chicago Sky drives to the basket against Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during Game Four of the WNBA Finals at Wintrust Arena on October 17, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)