Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

LeBron critical of U.S. efforts to get Griner home

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Tuesday, 12 July 2022 15:51

As Brittney Griner's wrongful detention in Russia has galvanized the sports world in support of the WNBA star's return to the United States, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James questioned why Griner would want to return to a country that has taken so much time to aid in a resolution for her.

"Now, how can she feel like America has her back?" James said in a trailer for the latest episode of his talk show, "The Shop: Uninterrupted," which airs on YouTube. "I would be feeling like, 'Do I even want to go back to America?'"

Griner was arrested in Moscow in February after the Russian Federal Customs Service allegedly discovered vape pen cartridges containing hashish oil in a bag that belonged to her. Last week, Griner pleaded guilty to drug possession and will appear in court again on Thursday.

In early June, shortly after the U.S. State Department classified Griner's plight as a wrongful detention, James tweeted in support of the seven-time All-Star.

James' Uninterrupted multimedia platform is also selling T-shirts with "We Are BG" printed on the front, with Uninterrupted's online store stating that the proceeds from the merchandise will go to The BG Advocacy Fund, run by Griner's family to cover legal costs associated with her release.

It is unclear when the episode, which will debut in its entirety on Friday, was filmed. In the trailer, James mentions that Griner has been detained for more than 110 days -- Griner's timeline in Russia hit the 110-day mark nearly five weeks ago.

Last week Griner's coach on the Phoenix Mercury, Vanessa Nygaard, evoked James' name in making a point about the country's slow response to the center's detainment.

"If it was LeBron, he'd be home, right?" Nygaard told reporters. "It's a statement about the value of women. It's a statement about the value of a Black person. It's a statement about the value of a gay person. All of those things. We know it, and so that's what hurts a little more."

At the WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago this past weekend, every player donned a jersey with Griner's last name and No. 42 emblazoned on it for the second half of the competition.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said Washington will continue to work for the release of Griner, as well as other Americans held by Moscow, including former Marine Paul Whelan.

"We will not relent until Brittney, Paul Whelan, and all other wrongfully detained Americans are reunited with their loved ones,'' he tweeted last week.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Monday that former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson had been in contact with the National Security Council, but wouldn't comment on his travel or what he intends to do. A source told ABC News that Richardson plans to travel to Russia and work on Griner's release.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read 229 times

Soccer

Fermín signs new Barça deal with 500m clause

Fermín signs new Barça deal with 500m clause

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona have rewarded Fermín López's early-season form with a new...

Bundesliga leaders Leipzig will put Dortmund's faith in Şahin to the test

Bundesliga leaders Leipzig will put Dortmund's faith in Şahin to the test

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBorussia Dortmund have again dominated the German football headline...

Messi: Had to reinvent my style due to age, MLS

Messi: Had to reinvent my style due to age, MLS

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLionel Messi acknowledged he has reinvented his style of play since...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Magic's Banchero questionable vs. Cavs

Sources: Magic's Banchero questionable vs. Cavs

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOrlando Magic star Paolo Banchero has sustained a right abdominal s...

The quiet free agent signing who could finally unlock KD, Booker and the Suns' Big 3

The quiet free agent signing who could finally unlock KD, Booker and the Suns' Big 3

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFOR MOST OF his 13 years in the NBA, Bradley Beal has had a good se...

Baseball

Rays' Franco sexual abuse trial to begin Dec. 12

Rays' Franco sexual abuse trial to begin Dec. 12

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco's trial in the Dominican Rep...

Passan: How the World Series champion Dodgers validated their era of dominance

Passan: How the World Series champion Dodgers validated their era of dominance

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Two days before the Los Angeles Dodgers' postseason beg...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated