Sports world reacts to Brittney Griner’s release in U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange

Americans woke up Thursday to the news that WNBA star Brittney Griner has been freed from Russian captivity after nearly 300 days and is on his way back to the United States after a one-for-one prisoner swap.

No one was more relieved than those who know Griner best, including her peers and peers in the women’s basketball world, many of whom have spent much of the past 10 months campaigning regularly for her release.

Here’s how the people in this room reacted to the news that Griner was finally coming home.

God’s grace is SUFFICIENT! @brittneygriner is at home! I love you BG!

— Dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) December 8, 2022

BG is FREE!!! 294 days and she comes home!!! 😭🤍🙏🏻❤️

— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) December 8, 2022

If I tell you nothing could kill my vibe today! My sister is coming home 🙌🏾🫶🏾😁

BG is FREE 🙌🏾🥹

— Jonquel Jones (@jus242) December 8, 2022

Welcome home Brittney Griner 🤍 pic.twitter.com/ELtuqHiwXk

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) December 8, 2022

Over 270 days full of uncertainty and impatience, but hype it worked 🥺🫶🏾 #WeAreBG https://t.co/B2Jc6hWzhw

— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) December 8, 2022

🙏🏾 https://t.co/KxUhWq3Fdc

— Chris Paul (@CP3) December 8, 2022

BG!!! I’m literally breaking down!!! Believe man!!!! Thank God!!! My heart just broke!!! Thank you to everyone who pushed FREE BG ❤️ forward
Today feels like a holiday!
HAPPY BG DAY! 🫶🏾

— Erica Wheeler (@EWeezy_For3eezy) December 8, 2022

The best news to start the day: Finally our sister BG is coming home!!

So grateful to all those who worked tirelessly to make this possible. Welcome home Brittney!!!!

— Chiney Ogwumike (@chiney) December 8, 2022

I absolutely loved that Cherelle said that our family is whole today, but she and BG will continue to work to bring others wrongly incarcerated, including Paul Whelan, home. 🤍

— Chiney Ogwumike (@chiney) December 8, 2022

BG is free ❤️ https://t.co/lsqsPJjnGI

– Sue Bird (@S10Bird) December 8, 2022

BG is finally coming home!🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/WdAVrPe3H9

— Sandy Brondello (@SBrondello) December 8, 2022

our sister BG is at home🫶🏼 all praise is due to God! It’s time to keep praying and fighting for other Americans who are unjustly imprisoned… the fight isn’t over yet, but we’re grateful!

— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) December 8, 2022

Went from FREE BG to BG is FREE!! He won’t! 🙌🏾

— Shey Peddy (@SheyP11) December 8, 2022

BG is coming home!!!!!🥺🥺🙏🏽🙏🏽🤍🤍

— Kia Nurse (@KayNurse11) December 8, 2022

🤍 see you soon @brittneygriner pic.twitter.com/m4xnL0AEET

— Nneka Ogwumike (@nnekaogwumike) December 8, 2022

A statement from Tara VanDerveer and @StanfordWBB on the release of Brittney Griner. pic.twitter.com/cI29DDnx1X

– Stanford Women’s Basketball (@StanfordWBB) December 8, 2022

The best news ever this morning!
Welcome home BG! ❤️🙏🏽

— Niele Ivey (@IrishCoachIvey) December 8, 2022

Brittney Griner is free!

After 294 days in Russian captivity @POTUS negotiated a “one-for-one” prisoner swap.

Thank you to President Biden and to everyone who worked so hard to secure their freedom.

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) December 8, 2022

!!!!!! https://t.co/zFJ1DMxp5t

— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) December 8, 2022

FREE BG🙏🏽

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) December 8, 2022