LeBron James Clarifies His Comments About Brittney Griner's Arrest In Russia
In the trailer for LeBron James’ HBO series The Shop: Uninterrupted, the NBA superstar questioned if Brittney Griner, who is currently being held in Russia on drug charges, would want to return to America considering the government’s response so far. But he is now clarifying the comments.
After some backlash over the remarks, on Tuesday (July 12), James tweeted,” My comments on ‘The Shop’ regarding Brittney Griner wasn’t knocking our beautiful country. I was simply saying how she’s probably feeling emotionally along with so many other emotions, thoughts, etc inside that cage she’s been in for over 100+ days!”
James originally said in the trailer, “Now, how can she feel like America has her back? I would be feeling like, ‘Do I even wanna go back to America?’”
On Feb. 17, Griner, 31, who had been in Russia playing for UMMC Yekaterinburg, was arrested by Russian Federal Customs Service at Sheremetyevo Airport near Moscow after agents said they found hashish oil vape cartridges in her luggage.
On July 7, Griner pleaded guilty to the charges but said “there was no intent” to break the law. She is now facing ten years in prison. Meanwhile, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert says getting the Phoenix Mercury center released is a priority.
“She remains a huge priority for us, continues to have our full support, fully focused on getting her home safely and as soon as possible of course," Englebert said, prior to the WNBA All-Star game on July 10 according to Reuters.
The Biden Administration has also said that getting Griner back to the United States is high priority.
“It has the fullest attention of the president and every senior member of his national security and diplomatic team, and we are actively working to find a resolution to this case and will continue to do so without rest until we get Brittney safely home,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters last month.
The latest episode of The Shop: Uninterrupted drops tomorrow, July 15.
