Brittney Griner has been released from prison as a result of a prisoner exchange agreement between the United States and Russia. 

The world was taken by surprise when Russian authorities revealed they had arrested Houston-born Griner on drug charges earlier this year. The basketball player was traveling to Russia in February to play for the UMMC Ekaterinburg club team when she was arrested outside of the Sheremetyevo Airport. Authorities alleged that cannabis oil vape cartridges were found in her luggage. Having been detained in Russia for 294 days, it’s a national relief that she’s finally headed home.

Following the news of her release, many have taken to social media to express their excitement in her return home after 10 months: President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, the WNBA, and the NBA. 

Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.

She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022

Now that Griner is officially traveling back to the states, here’s a recap of events leading up to and following the star’s arrest. 

The Houston native received her diploma from Chester W. Nimitz High School in 2009 and continued her standout basketball career at Baylor University where she attained the titles of Associated Press (AP) All-American, AP Player of the Year, Big 12 Conference Player of the Year, and the Wade Trophy. Undoubtedly a star in the basketball world, Griner was drafted as the first overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury during the 2013 WNBA draft. Since her debut on the national big stage, the center has become a seven-time All-Star and WNBA champion. 

Griner was set to play overseas, having done so since 2014, when she was arrested. Following her detainment, the basketball star faced a lengthy maximum prison sentence of 10 years if convicted. Griner’s trial took place in July; she pled guilty and in August, was sentenced to nine years in prison. Griner’s lawyers filed an appeal following her sentencing but it was ultimately denied on October 25. She was then transferred on November 17 to a Russian penal colony in Mordovia where she would carry out her sentence. 

Following long negotiation talks between President Biden’s administration and the Russian government, Griner was released in exchange for the release of Russian arms dealer Viktor “Merchant of Death” Bout who was arrested in 2008 and was serving a sentence of 25 years in federal prison.  

Griner will be home within the next 24 hours, at which point she will finally be reunited with her wife Cherelle Griner and her family ahead of the holidays.