Dallas Rep. Colin Allred Working On WNBA Star Brittney Griner's Release From Russia
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Dallas congressman Colin Allred is working with the U.S. State Department to bring Texas native and WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner home from a Russian prison.
Allred is also a Baylor alum, like Griner, who was arrested last month at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges.
The Russian Customs Service said Saturday that the cartridges contained oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
"We are aware of the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia and are in close contact with her, her legal representation in Russia, her family, her teams, and the WNBA and NBA," Griner's agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas said. "As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are not able to comment further on the specifics of her case but can confirm that as we work to get her home, her mental and physical health remain our primary concern."
The State Department has issued a "do not travel" advisory for Russia due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. They have urged all U.S. citizens to depart the country immediately, citing factors including "the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials" and "the Embassy's limited ability to assist" Americans in Russia.
Griner, who plays for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, has played in Russia for the last seven years in the winter, earning more than $1 million per season — more than quadruple her WNBA salary. She last played for her Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg on Jan. 29 before the league took a two-week break in early February for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournaments.
"Brittney Griner has the WNBA's full support and our main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States," the league said in a statement.
More than a dozen WNBA players were playing in Russia and Ukraine this winter, including league MVP Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley of the champion Chicago Sky. The WNBA confirmed Saturday that all players besides Griner had left both countries.
The 31-year-old Griner has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a WNBA championship with the Mercury and a national championship at Baylor. She is a seven-time All-Star from Houston.