She laughed. She cried. And everything in between, cajoling the audience of reporters with her infectious smile and easy-going glare. Brittney Griner was back. And she was better than ever.
Griner made her long-awaited return to the lectern on Thursday, speaking publicly for the first time since being imprisoned in Russia for 10 months for carrying vape cartridges with hashish oil through a Moscow airport.
The Phoenix Mercury center detailed her experience, one she said she wouldn't have gotten through had it not been for the adversity she's faced through other moments of her life.
MORE: Brittney Griner detainment in Russia timeline
"I'm no stranger to hard times."
— ESPN (@espn) April 27, 2023
–Brittney Griner on her resilience pic.twitter.com/jdRWf4Luzc
“I’m no stranger to hard times. Just digging deep, honestly," Griner said through tears. “You’re going to be faced with adversities throughout your life, this was a pretty big one, but I just kind of relied on my hard work, getting through it."
In the moments when Griner's resolve wavered, she thought back to her doting family. Her wife, Cherelle, was an ever-present, going from station to station trying to push Griner's story out to the masses.
“When I did lose my hope, looking at photos of my family, that brought my hope back,” Griner said. “Just being able to see their faces, that did it for me. In a moment where you want to give up, you look at the photos and it brings you back. You know what you’re waiting on—you’re waiting to be back with your family, with your loved ones in a safe place.”
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Dressed in a simple black tee that featured the names of Americans detained in foreign countries, the 32-year-old thanked the media for its help in bringing her back to her family. She also called upon those same media members to use their platforms to uplift the WNBA at large.
"I expect to see this same coverage," Griner said. "Because we have a great product. And you'll see it this summer."
"Thank y'all for covering me and all the exposure...to get me home."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 27, 2023
Brittney Griner thanks the media for their role in bringing her home 🧡 pic.twitter.com/h1uILpfbhw
On the court, it's been a bit of an adjustment. Griner hasn't played in a WNBA game since 2021. And although she's one of the most dominant players the game has ever seen, the rust has been there.
Still, Griner has confidence. There's a reason she inked a one-year deal to return to Phoenix back in February. For what it's worth, she still has those hops. Just ask Cherelle, who may or may not have been on the receiving end of a Griner poster.
"That's a good question for my wife. Ask her how it felt getting dunked on." 😂
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 27, 2023
BG threw it down the first time she touched a basketball after her return pic.twitter.com/MFo1cawMiz
Griner and the Mercury will have their work cut out for them. The Aces took their championship-winning side to new heights in the offseason, signing former MVP Candace Parker. They look slated to be the team to beat in the Western Conference.
Still, with Griner, Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith, the Mercury look well-equipped to compete in a rapidly improving league.
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Griner is looking forward to sharing the floor with Taurasi, her longtime teammate. She joked that the soon-to-be 41-year-old was more "fossil" than player at this point.
"Who wouldn't want to play with a walking fossil?!"
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 27, 2023
BG has jokes for Taurasi 😂 pic.twitter.com/kHCzU4IWiL
In all, it was a return to form for Griner. Now, she looks to make her next high-profile return; this time to the court, when the Mercury take on the Storm in their preseason opener on May 9.
“I believe in me,” Griner said. “I believe in what I can do. I know if I put my mind to it I can achieve any goal.
“I’m not trying to sound big-headed, but I bet on me. I have all the resources here to help me get to that point where I can play."