“I did need to begin by saying we proceed to be working diligently on bringing Brittney Griner dwelling. That is an unimaginable state of affairs for BG to be in,” Engelbert stated Monday in her opening remarks to reporters.
Griner, who performs for Russian powerhouse UMMC Ekaterinburg throughout the WNBA offseason, was arrested by Russian authorities in February at a Moscow airport and accused of smuggling important quantities of a narcotic substance — an offense punishable by as much as 10 years in jail.
Griner was the No. 1 choose within the 2013 WNBA draft and is among the league’s all-time finest gamers.
“She continues to have our full assist, and she or he’s simply been such a terrific particular person within the league. I am unable to be any extra actual concerning the state of affairs that she’s in,” Englebert stated. “Definitely, we’re attempting all the things we are able to, each angle, working by means of together with her authorized illustration, her agent, elected leaders, the administration; simply all people in our ecosystem to attempt to discover methods to get her dwelling safely and as shortly as we are able to.”
“I do know we’re all annoyed, however we do must be affected person. I do know the gamers have been superb at following the recommendation that they are getting and we’re getting so as to not jeopardize her security in any means. We proceed to comply with that recommendation and proceed to work on it,” she stated.
Griner has been in a position to see her consultant in Russia twice every week and is ready to obtain letters and correspondence, ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported on Monday.
On Monday, the commissioner additionally voiced her private dedication to Griner and getting her dwelling safely.
“I used to inform my daughter when she was little — and nonetheless now that she’s in her 20s — ‘I’d go to the top of the earth that will help you when you’re ever in hassle,’ and I say the identical factor about Brittney Griner.”
Engelbert additionally introduced the WNBA intends to launch a philanthropic effort in all 12 markets honoring Griner within the lead as much as the 2022 season.
“Whereas we’re working arduous to get Brittney dwelling, we may have a league-wide philanthropic initiative led by the Phoenix Mercury, honoring BG and modeled after her work,” Engelbert stated.
“BG, for those who do not know, based a company in 2016 known as BG’s Coronary heart and Soul Shoe Drive. The activations that we are going to do, the Mercury will lead, are meant to remind us of BG’s spirit of giving and do the work she’d be doing if she had been right here and definitely the work she’s going to be a part of us in when she returns.”
The WNBA season will tip off Could 6.
A Moscow court docket introduced final month it prolonged the arrest of Griner till Could 19, based on Russian state information company TASS. A trial date has not been set, a supply near the state of affairs informed CNN on the time.
