WNBA star Nneka Ogwumike addresses Brittney Griner detention, why players are taking ‘strategic’ approach

Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia was on the highest of the WNBA world’s thoughts on Monday evening throughout the league’s participant draft, with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressing her arrest earlier than the occasion.

On Tuesday, WNBA gamers union president Nneka Ogwumike appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and made clear that she and her colleagues within the league need the Phoenix Mercury star again house.

“It’s robust. BG is us. We’re BG. That might’ve been us. We’re actually most involved about her well being and security, particularly her psychological well being. We’re listening to, in that respect, she’s OK, however we would like her house,” Ogwumike informed Robin Roberts.

The Los Angeles Sparks star was requested about feedback WNBA legend Lisa Leslie made final month. Leslie mentioned gamers have been informed to not make a “large fuss” concerning the arrest. Ogwumike informed Roberts that gamers needed to get all the main points about Griner’s scenario first earlier than saying something in case they unintentionally compromised her scenario in Moscow.

WNBA’S CATHY ENGELBERT TALKS BRITTNEY GRINER DETENTION BEFORE DRAFT: ‘THIS IS AN UNIMAGINABLE SITUATION’

Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks throughout the Lynx recreation at Goal Middle on Sept. 2, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(David Berding/Getty Pictures)

“I’d say, to be extra clear about that. … You understand us, we transfer deliberately and given the character of Brittney’s scenario when it occurred it was crucial for us to be intentional about doing the perfect factor to verify we don’t compromise her coming house,” Ogwumike mentioned. “Lots of that needed to do about educating ourselves concerning the particulars of what was occurring as a lot as we may know, however then understanding how vital it was for us to be strategic about when and the way we discuss her.”

Griner was arrested in February at a Moscow airport for allegedly possessing vape cartridges containing oils derived from hashish. The Mercury heart was detained and has been held ever since whereas first studies of her arrest didn’t come to mild till final month – days after Russia started its invasion of Ukraine. Griner may resist 10 years in a Russian jail if convicted.

Ogwumike recommended Griner’s gender performed a job as to why there wasn’t extra protection of her detention.

“When is it not? It’s disappointing that the query of it being a gender situation is high of thoughts now in relation to one of these circumstance. However the actuality is, she’s over there due to a gender situation – pay inequity,” she mentioned. 

WNBA STARS AGREE ON BRITTNEY GRINER ARREST: ‘IT COULD HAVE BEEN ANY OF US’

“I performed in Russia for 4 years, performed in Poland for one 12 months, performed in China for 2 years. We go over there to complement our incomes and fairly frankly we go over there to keep up our recreation. Our groups encourage us to maintain up with our recreation by going over there and being extra aggressive. There’s a lot that’s at play.”

Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks performs protection towards Brittney Griner of the Mercury on Aug. 24, 2017, in Phoenix, Arizona.
(Barry Gossage/NBAE through Getty Pictures)

A supermax wage within the WNBA may earn a participant simply over $221,000 for the common season. Gamers have the choice to remain within the U.S. and do different media work within the offseason, however some select to go to different international locations, like Russia, the place they might earn round $1 million or extra.

Ogwumike added that gamers don’t need to really feel like they should go over to different international locations to play basketball for the next pay. The WNBA season runs from Might 6 to Aug. 14.

Engelbert addressed the media earlier than Monday evening’s draft.

“We proceed to be working diligently on bringing Brittney Griner house. That is an unimaginable scenario for BG to be in. She continues to have our full help, and she or he’s simply been a fantastic particular person within the league,” she mentioned.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks earlier than the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 11, 2022, in New York.
(AP Photograph/Adam Starvation)

She added that getting Griner house was the league’s “high precedence” as she took the rostrum to announce the Atlanta Dream have been on the clock.

The Related Press contributed to this report.