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Reuters

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Reuters

Brittney Griner stirred quite a massive controversy across the country last year when she was arrested at the Moscow airport for carrying hash oil. Her detainment arguably sparked a global debate on the severity of her rule violation and the measures taken by the Soviet country for the same. It has been about four months since Griner returned home to her family and friends. Following that, the Phoenix Mercury player recently made a major announcement regarding her basketball career that drew a skeptical response from an NFL veteran.

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Griner spent about 10 months in Russian custody during which she was sentenced to nine years in jail. She also spent several days in a penal colony before POTUS Joe Biden finally announced her release from prison.

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A former Bills DE gives his take on Brittney Griner’s statement

On Thursday, Brittney Griner appeared for her first media conference after getting released from a Russian prison. She stated that she will never play overseas unless it was for the Olympics. Prior to her detainment, Griner had been playing in the Russian league since 2014. The Mercury center’s comment caught former Buffalo Bills player Marcellus Wiley’s attention, who had a different take on the matter.

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USA Today via Reuters

In his latest YouTube video, Wiley addressed Griner’s decision to stop playing overseas. He stated that he understood her hesitancy to play in Russia due to obvious reasons. However, he could not get on board with her use of the word ‘overseas’ which indicated that it was not just the one country she was talking about. He felt that Griner was not being ‘as accountable as she should be’.

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According to Wiley, “To blame going overseas is displacing the aggression, displacing the problem. The problem wasn’t being overseas. The problem was what you had on you while you were overseas.” Recalling an incident with his friends who tried to take ‘weed’ during a trip to Vegas from LA, he added, “Why would you risk it? You a dummy!”

Wiley also said, “I don’t know the particulars of Brittney Griner. I know the amount was small, but the point is, why risk it? Okay, medical, this and that… Look, if it’s medical, I’m getting every clearance in the world above board.”

READ MORE -??The Grind, the Sweat, the Blood?: Looking to Make a Comeback, Brittney Griner Reminisces Her WNBA Legacy

What did Griner say?

During the press conference held on April 27, Brittney Griner was asked if playing overseas during the offseason was a need or a want. In response, Griner said, “Well, I can say for me, I’m never going overseas to play again unless I’m representing my country at the Olympics. You know, if I make that team, that’ll be the only time I would leave the US soil.”

Further, she talked about the significant pay gap. Griner said that WNBA players are prompted to go play overseas in order to support themselves and their families. She said that she hopes the women’s league will have better exposure and continue to grow, for the sake of the players too.

WATCH THIS STORY: ?A week after wife Cherelle?s ?best revenge? claim, latest Brittney Griner news leaves fans in disbelief?

What are your thoughts on Brittney Griner’s detention and her recent remarks about playing overseas? Share your views in the comments below!

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Siyari Debbarma

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Siyari Debbarma is a senior NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With over 700 articles under her belt, Siyari is an expert in providing in-depth analysis and coverage of the game. Her throwback article on Dennis Rodman's plea for help garnered more than 3.5 million page views, a testament to her skill as a writer and journalist. Siyari's expertise also extends to game coverage and lifestyle reporting on NBA players and their families. She brings a unique perspective to her articles, providing readers with a behind-the-scenes look at the personal lives of their favorite players. Her passion for basketball began when she started hooping in her senior year of school, and she has been a devoted fan of the game ever since. Although Siyari admires players irrespective of their teams, the Golden State Warriors hold a special place in her heart. She is a huge fan of iconic names such as Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan, but her personal preferences have never swayed her from delivering detailed and impartial content to her readers. When she's not covering the latest NBA stories, Siyari indulges in her love of reading, with a particular fondness for books on history and culture. She also spends time with her adorable cats and dogs, who keep her company when she's away from the court.

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Aayush Kapoor

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