For over nine months now, Brittney Griner has been in a Russian prison. But long before her detention, Griner loved visiting and playing basketball in Russia. During the WNBA offseason, players like Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi spend their time playing in the Russian Women’s Basketball league. For Griner, coming to Russia was a huge learning curve. Soon she fell in love with the place and the league. 

The Phoenix Mercury star arrived in Russia for the first time in 2015. The months leading up to this moment were tumultuous. Issues from her personal life were constantly written about in the media and her on-court performances included few physical altercations resulting in suspensions. So playing for the UMMC Ekaterinburg team was a much-needed break. Her time in Russia completely changed her mindset.

Brittney Griner once revealed how playing in Russia changed her

 The Russian League is a luxury for the WNBA players. From transport facilities to hotels and boarding, the team owners take care of everything. The league even paid them better salaries than the US leagues. But living every day in Russia was a different experience. 

Griner lived in a city named Yekaterinburg. The team she played for was the best in the league. More than half of her team did not speak English. During non-match days, because of severe cold weather and safety reasons, she was forced to stay at her apartment for a major part of the day. 

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Despite distracting herself with video games and movies, Griner initially felt miserable and restricted. But this taught her to always look at the positives. She revealed in an ESPN feature in 2017, “This made me open up to my family more, telling them how much I love them. Especially my dad.” 

“Being here in Russia has definitely changed my life. It made me grow up,” she added.

The seven months in Russia meant being disconnected from American paparazzi and media outlets. This was rewarding. She realized that no one needed to know what she was doing or where she was going. All this helped Griner to learn how to live by herself. This was an experience that helped her gain maturity. 

On-court and off the court, Griner’s growth was noticeable. The following season with the Pheonix Mercury, Griner was dominant on the hardwood. Subsequently, she kept growing as a player and a person. 

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Brittany Griner’s first trip to Russia was life-changing making her go back to the league every year since. However, things have changed significantly since then. The WNBA star is currently facing a nine-year prison sentence after airport authorities seized cannabis oil from her belongings earlier this year. Brittney Griner could face a difficult life in a Russian penal colony if Washington fails to reach to an agreement with Moscow.