Brittney’s imprisonment in Russia had been protested, with many Americans calling for her release, as well as officials speaking out on her behalf. Now, she’s finally returned home to be with her wife Cherelle, 29, who greeted her alongside her parents in Texas.
Brittney received medical care in Texas upon her return, according to People. WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert revealed that she’d meet Cherelle and her parents there as well. The commissioner also released a statement showing that the league was proud to have the player back in the States. ” The WNBA is grateful beyond measure to the Biden Administration, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and all those who played a role in bringing BG home today,” she said.
Brittney’s release was announced on Thursday by President Joe Biden. It was reported that she was released in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had been arrested in 2008 for conspiring to kill Americans. The president spoke about how much work went into securing her release after she was arrested in a White House press conference. “These past few months have been hell for Brittney,” he said. “I’m glad to be able to say Brittney is in good spirits. She’s relieved to finally be heading home, and the fact remains that she’s lost months of her life, experienced a needless trauma. She deserves space, privacy and time with her loved ones to recover and heal from her time being wrongfully detained.”