Who is Brittney Griner, the American released for arms dealer Viktor Bout?

WNBA star released from Russian penal colony in exchange for the 'Merchant of Death'

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

Brittney Griner, the US basketball star who was imprisoned in Russia on drug charges, is on her way home via Abu Dhabi.

Griner’s release comes 10 months after customs officials found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport.

She had been sentenced to more than nine years in prison and was serving her sentence in a remote penal colony.

Who is Brittney Griner?

Griner's arrest in February sent shock waves throughout the US sports landscape, including the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

The 2-metre-tall centre was a star player at Baylor University in Texas and her professional career equalled her sterling college years.

She is an eight time all-star, two-time scoring leader and won a team championship with the Phoenix Mercury in 2014.

In addition to her professional career, she won two Olympic gold medals with the US women’s national team in 2016 and 2021.

Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky. AP

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil. AFP

Griner leaving a courtroom after a hearing in May. The Phoenix Mercury star, considered in some polls to be the US’s most gifted female athlete, could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. AP

Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter on July 4, 2022, portions of which were made public by her family. AFP

Grineris escorted before a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia on July 1, 2022. Reuters

The US stepped up its push in March for consular access to Griner, who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling. AP

Griner at the White House alongside teammates. Photo: US National Archives

Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with fans. Getty Images North America / AFP

A man holds a sign for Brittney Griner Home during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA

Griner, a player of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury team was arrested in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after some hash oil was detected and found in her luggage, for which she now could face a prison sentence of up to ten years. EPA

Fans hold signs Griner during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA

A sign for Griner is displayed during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Angel City FC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images / AFP

The Khimki City Court reportedly had extended Greiner's detention for the duration of her trial on charges of drug smuggling that started on 01 July. EPA

Griner gestures during a game against Australia at Saitama Super Arena in their Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's basketball quarterfinal game in Saitama, Japan August 4, 2021. Reuters

Dallas Wings' Marina Mabrey wears shoes that have a "BG" logo on them, a reference to Brittney Griner, during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. AP

"We Are BG 42" is displayed on the exterior of Footprint Center before the WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx on June 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty Images / AFP

Minnesota Lynx's Aerial Powers wears a shirt in support of Griner during introductions for the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm. Star Tribune / AP

Griner poses with her gold medal in Women's Basketball at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, August 8, 2021. Reuters

Brittney Griner with teammates Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins posing for pictures with their gold medals on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's basketball competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. AFP

Griner often spent the WNBA off-season playing abroad in China and Russia. She was on her way to play in the Russian Women's Basketball Premier League when she was detained.

What happened when was she released?

After months of negotiations, the administration of President Joe Biden secured her release in exchange for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year sentence in the US.

Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner said her family is once again complete.

“Today my family is whole. But as you all are aware, there's so many other families who are not whole,” Ms Griner said.

The sports world applauded the Biden administration for bringing Griner home.

“As her USA Basketball family, we are grateful for the work of the US government and everyone who has worked behind the scenes to achieve this outcome,” USA Basketball said in a statement.

Sue Bird, one of basketball's all-time greats, tweeted “BG is free” with a heart emoji.