Brittney Griner 20/20 interview LIVE — WNBA star opens up about Russia jail time & having to use ‘hole in ground’ toilet

Details about Brittney’s experience in prison, continued

Following Griner's sentencing in August to a nine-year prison term, she was transferred to a penal colony where she undertook tasks such as cutting fabric for Russian soldiers' uniforms.

Video footage of her work was recorded by Russian authorities and subsequently aired on Good Morning America.

“Really cold," she said about the prison. "It’s a work camp. You go there to work. There's no rest.”

Details about Brittney's experience in prison

In her interview with Good Morning America's Robin Roberts on 20/20, Brittney Griner detailed her traumatic prison experience.

“The mattress had a huge blood stain on it, and they give you these thin two sheets, so you're basically laying on bars,” she said.

“From the middle of my shin to my feet stuck through the bars, which, in prison, you really don’t want to stick your leg and arm through bars…[because] someone could go up and grab it, break it, twist it. And that’s what was going through my mind.”

To this, she added that she would go without toilet paper for a while and would be forced to use toothpaste that expired "like 15 years ago."

“We used to put it on the black mold to kill the mold on the walls,” she said.

Brittney was forced to write Putin a letter

Brittney's ordeal unfolded amidst Russia's invasion of Ukraine, escalating tensions between the two nations. It concluded only after her release in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Griner revealed that prior to her liberation, she was compelled to write a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“They made me write this letter. It was in Russian,” she said.

“I had to ask for forgiveness and thanks from their so-called great leader. I didn’t want to do it, but at the same time I wanted to come home.”

'Maybe they will bring him next'

Boarding the plane for the trade, Brittney said in her interview on ABC's 20/20 that she felt disappointed that Paul Whelan, another American held in Russia, wasn't accompanying her.

“I walked on and didn’t see him, maybe he’s next. Maybe they will bring him next,” she said.

“They closed the door and I was like, are you serious? You’re not going to let this man come home now.”

Brittney has siblings

Griner has three siblings: a brother named Decarlo Griner and two sisters, Shkera Griner and Pier Griner.

Raised by their parents Sandra and Raymond, the four children grew up in different areas of Texas, including Dayton, Humble, and Harris.

During their upbringing, they enjoyed activities like squirrel hunting, go-cart rides on their property, and engaging in various sports.

Despite the attention drawn by Griner's career, her siblings have maintained a relatively low profile.

Meet the parents, continued

After six weeks, the teen was permitted to return home, having stayed with an assistant coach during that period.

It's been reported that the WNBA star has since reconciled with her parents, who were among the earliest to acknowledge her basketball prowess.

Over the years, she has shared numerous heartfelt tributes to her mother and father on social media.

Meet the parents

Raised by Sandra Griner, a stay-at-home mother, and Raymond Griner, a sheriff and Vietnam veteran, life wasn't easy for the renowned athlete.

Struggling with her sexuality, she endured taunts like "freak" during middle and high school simply for being different, towering over her peers.

Reflecting on her journey, she shared with Aljazeera America in 2014, "I did hit rock bottom at one point."

Despite being a self-described "daddy's girl," Griner only came out to her mother during her freshman year of high school, keeping her sexual identity concealed from her father until her senior year.

Upon learning the truth, her father disowned her, leading to her expulsion from their family home.

'Today my family is whole'

Cherelle appeared before the public alongside President Joe Biden at the White House on the day the WNBA star was freed, wearing a smile.

"Today my family is whole, but as you all are aware there is a whole of families who aren't," she said.

The agreement between the US and Russia leaves Paul Whelan, an American corporate security executive and former Marine, detained in Russia under what American officials have labeled as fraudulent charges.

"BG and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home, including Paul," Charelle added.

"We do understand there are still people out there who are enduring what I endured the last nine months."

Cherelle on her second call with Brittney when arrested

Cherelle elaborated further on her second conversation with Brittney following her arrest in February 2022.

"You could hear that she was not okay. If you think about just a person's suffering and when they have suffered to a max…she was at the max that day."

Cherelle had previously voiced her worry for her wife, noting that Brittney was grappling with difficulties as she awaited her release.

"I don't know if she has anything left in her tank to continue to wake up every day and be in a place where she has no one," Cherelle said.  

'It feels to me as if she's a hostage'

Cherelle had previously participated in an interview with CBS, sitting down with Gayle King to discuss her wife's hostage situation at that time.

"I'm like, in no world did I ever thought, you know, our president and a foreign nation's president would be sitting down having to discuss the freedom of my wife," Cherelle told King in her first interview since Griner's sentencing in August.

"And so to me, as much as everybody's telling me a different definition of what BG is, it feels to me as if she's a hostage."

Brittney was sentenced to nine years in prison

On August 4, 2022, Brittney was convicted of drug possession and smuggling by a Russian court.

In the prosecution's closing statements, they requested a nine-and-a-half-year prison term for the WNBA star.

However, she was ultimately sentenced to nine years in prison. An appeal hearing took place in October.

Following the appeal, a Russian court affirmed the original sentence, leading to Brittney's transfer to a penal colony in Russia on November 4.

Brittney's pleas to the US

Brittney appealed to President Joe Biden, asking him to come to her aid and bring her home.

"I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other American detainees..." she wrote. "Please do all you can to bring us home."

On July 6, 2022, Biden conversed with Cherelle during a call, assuring her of his commitment to endeavor for the release of her spouse.

The White House said in a statement: "The President called Cherelle to reassure her that he is working to secure Brittney's release as soon as possible, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other U.S. nationals who are wrongfully detained or held hostage in Russia and around the world."

Officials announced that on December 8, 2022, the basketball star was freed from detention in exchange for international arms dealer Viktor Bout in a one-for-one prisoner swap.

More about Brittney's detainment

On February 7, 2022, Brittney was detained while passing through security at an airport close to Moscow, Russia.

During the security check, authorities discovered hashish oil contained within vape cartridges inside her bag, alleging her involvement in drug smuggling.

Following this discovery, she was confined in a Moscow jail in February 2022 and faced charges related to drug smuggling.

According to a Reuters report on July 7, Brittney admitted guilt to the drug-related charge, asserting that her actions were unintentional and a violation of the law.

"I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law," Brittney told the judge during the trial.

The Griners' romance

Cherelle and Brittney crossed paths during their time at Baylor University in Texas, but their romantic journey didn't commence until years later.

It was after Brittney's separation from her former spouse, Glory Johnson, in 2016, that they started dating.

In 2018, Brittney took the leap and proposed to Cherelle, marking a significant step in their relationship. A year later, they exchanged vows in marriage.

Reflecting on their journey, Brittney took to Instagram in 2020 to reminisce about their initial meeting and express her deep affection for her wife.

"I will never forget the day I met you at Baylor in the sub area!” Brittney wrote. “You tapped me on my shoulder and told me I took your milkshake (still up for debate lol) and I was immediately blown away at your beauty!

"You had no idea but I knew you were the one for me baby. You stuck by my side at the lowest and at the highest!”

About Cherelle Griner

In June 2019, Brittney Griner, 33, tied the knot with Cherelle Watson, who later adopted the name Cherelle Griner.

Cherelle's LinkedIn profile indicates her academic journey, detailing her time at Baylor University from 2010 to 2014. During this period, she pursued a major in political science and government, along with a minor in family and child studies.

Following her undergraduate studies, she pursued law at North Carolina Central University, graduating in May 2022.

Cherelle celebrated this significant milestone by sharing the news on Instagram.

"It’s graduation day. Name just got a little longer: Cherelle T. Griner, J.D.," she wrote.

Britney Griner expecting baby with wife Cherelle

Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner shared their joy on Instagram on April 13, revealing they're anticipating the arrival of their first child together this summer.

"Can’t believe we’re less than three months away from meeting our favorite human being," they wrote in a joint post.

The announcement has sparked widespread happiness and excitement among their followers.

This will be the couple's first child together as Britney has two children from a previous relationship.

Brittney's mental health struggles

Brittney Griner spoke of the toll prison took on her mental health last night.

“I wanted to take my life more than once in the first weeks,” Griner told interviewer Robin Roberts.

“I felt like leaving here so badly.”

Who is Brittney Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner?

Brittney Griner married Cherelle Watson, who has since changed her name to Cherelle Griner, in June 2019.

According to her LinkedIn page, Cherelle attended Baylor University from 2010 to 2014 and majored in political science and government while minoring in family and child studies.

She graduated from the North Carolina Central University of Law in May 2022 and shared her accomplishment through an Instagram post.

"It’s graduation day. Name just got a little longer: Cherelle T. Griner, J.D.," she wrote.

Although Cherelle met Brittney while attending Baylor University in Texas, the couple didn't date until years later after Brittney split from her now ex-wife, Glory Johnson, in 2016.

What is Brittney Griner's net worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Brittney Griner has an estimated net worth of about $5 million.

Her net worth comes from her accomplishments not only playing for the WNBA but also playing for teams overseas.

For example, she earned $600k in 2014 playing for a Chinese team, and over eight years, she earned $1.5 million playing for Russia.

Learn more about Robin Roberts

The Good Morning America telecaster was a star basketball player for Southeastern Louisiana University during her college years.

As a student from 1979 to 1983, she became a member of the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame.

On February 5, 2011, Southeastern retired Robin’s Number 21 jersey.

In 2013, Robin publicly came out as queer in a Facebook post, revealing her longtime girlfriend as Amber Laign.

Brittney Griner to release memoir

WNBA star Brittney Griner is due to release a memoir in the coming days.

The book, titled “Coming Home,” is set to be released on May 7.

Griner's apology

“I know everybody keeps talking about ‘political pawn’ and ‘politics,’ but I hope that is far from this courtroom,” Griner said, via ESPN.

She then went on to apologize for the embarrassment her arrest had caused.

“I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans, and the city of [Yekaterinburg] for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I brought on them,” Griner said.

“I want to also apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization back at home, the amazing women of the WNBA, and my amazing spouse back at home.”

Brittney Griner calls for Paul Whelan's return

Speaking to ABC, Brittney Griner called for the return of Paul Whelan from Russia.

Canadian-born Whelan was arrested in 2018, accused of spying by Putin's government.

“I walked on and didn’t see him, maybe he’s next. Maybe they will bring him next,” Griner said.

“They closed the door and I was like, are you serious? You’re not going to let this man come home now.”

Brittney Griner made history

Brittney Griner was the first openly gay athlete to earn a Nike sponsorship.

Griner spent much of her career playing overseas in Russia, pointing to the low pay WNBA stars receive as her reason for leaving the US.

She would spend seven years playing Russia before her arrest.

Brittney Griner 'forced to write letter' to Putin

Speaking last night, Brittney Griner revealed she was forced to write a letter to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin before being released from prison.

“They made me write this letter. It was in Russian,” she said.

“I had to ask for forgiveness and thanks from their so-called great leader. I didn’t want to do it, but at the same time I wanted to come home.”