Brittney Griner was detained at a Russian airport in 2022 after cannabis oil cartridges were found in her luggage upon her return to the country for basketball.
She attributed this to a “mental lapse,” acknowledging the serious oversight of carrying such items into a country where they are illegal.
Griner was incarcerated from February to December before being part of a prisoner exchange involving arms dealer Viktor Bout.
In an interview with Robin Roberts on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Griner responded to skeptics questioning her explanation.
She likened the lapse to common forgetfulness, citing instances like leaving keys in the car or misplacing glasses, emphasizing how simple oversights can happen on a larger scale.
Griner shared her emotional state during the search process, expressing concerns about her future and family.
She worried about public opinion and the potential fallout from the incident, particularly in a foreign setting where she felt misunderstood compared to the U.S., where she could explain the situation more clearly.
Returning to the Phoenix Mercury last season, Griner continued her stellar career, earning her eighth All-Star selection.
