Since her release from exile in Russia in December, WNBA star Brittney Griner has been gradually adjusting to the changes in both her personal and professional life. It has been four months since she returned to US soil and the Phoenix Mercury star recently sat down for her first media conference since her imprisonment. Amid an eventful Q and A session, Griner’s latest comments regarding a controversial issue in women’s sports are now making headlines.

The 2014 NBA champion had to spend 10 months in a Russian prison, including several days in a penal colony, after she was detained by airport authorities for carrying trace amounts of hash oil. She was initially sentenced to nine years but was eventually released by Moscow as part of a prisoner exchange program. Amid reports of her return to the hardwood, Griner has once again dived into an ongoing political controversy.

Brittney Griner calls the banning of transwomen in women’s sports a ‘crime’

The 8x WNBA All-Star addressed a couple of contentious issues during her first press conference in months. While most questions were related to her detainment and the aftermath of the incident, one particular question prompted her to talk about a very controversial topic. In response to an ESPN reporter’s question, Griner gave her take on the participation of transwomen in sports.

She stated that it was one of the top issues on her priorities list that she would be fighting for. The WNBA veteran spoke in support of the transwomen who are being banned from participating in sports. She said, “Everyone deserves the right to play. Everyone deserves the right to come here, sit in these seats, and feel safe. And not feel like there?s the threat, or they can?t be who they are, or like it?s just all eyes on them.”

Furthermore, she added, “I think it?s a crime honestly to separate someone for any reason. So, I definitely will be speaking up against that legislation and those laws that are trying to be passed, for sure.”

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Griner will no longer play overseas

Brittney Griner has been playing overseas since 2014. However, following the unnerving series of events she went through in the past 10 months, Griner announced in the press conference that she will not be playing overseas unless it is for the Olympics. She also stressed the pay gap issue due to which most WNBA players opt to play overseas during the offseason.

She said, “A lot of us go over there to make an income to support our families, to support ourselves. So I don’t knock any player that wants to go overseas and make a little bit of extra money.”

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Griner is now hoping that the women’s league will continue to grow for a better future for WNBA players.