Brittney Griner’s wife, Cherelle T. Griner, is speaking out on the WNBA star’s behalf after it was reported she had been detained in Russia for several weeks.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me regarding my wife’s safe return from Russia. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life,” Cherelle captioned a photo of the two smiling on the beach. “I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details. Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely. Thank you!”

Russian officials said Griner was detained after they found vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis in her luggage at the Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow per NBC.

The offense could land the basketball star 10 years in prison.

Griner has played over in Russia for the past seven years. The last time she played in a game was Jan. 29 for the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg before the two-week hiatus in February for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournaments.

Griner’s home team, The Phoenix Mercury, released a statement eager for the athlete’s return back to the United States.

“We love and support Brittney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home,” the team said.

The USA Basketball league also expressed concern with Griner’s return.

“Brittney has always handled herself with the utmost professionalism during her long tenure with USA Basketball and her safety and wellbeing are our primary concerns,” the tweet said.

Per the outlet, the State Department has issued a “do not travel” advisory for U.S. citizens thinking of heading to Russia as the Ukraine/Russia conflict escalates.

Look at the outpouring of support for Brittney from fans:

• 1.

  THE ONLY REASON BRITNEY GRINER WAS IN RUSSIA WAS BECAUSE THE WNBA DOESN’T PAY THEIR ATHLETES NEARLY ENOUGH AND THAT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

  — Blake Dobyns (@BlakeDobyns) March 5, 2022

• 2.

  https://twitter.com/Deseann/status/1500846316884267014

• 3.

  Brittney Griner has been detained for 3 weeks and we’re just hearing about it?

  — Damien Woody (@damienwoody) March 5, 2022

• 4.

  Praying for Brittney Griner’s safety and her rights. An incredibly scary situation.
  
  Heartbreaking BG has been in there almost a month and we’re just now really finding out. We need to get her home.

  — Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) March 5, 2022

• 5.

  https://twitter.com/rgay/status/1500161619871076357

• 6.

  https://twitter.com/AdrienneLaw/status/1500167960987521025

• 7.

  I feel like if Brittney Griner was an NBA player we would already have a statement from The White House.

  — Nov (@WNBAUncut) March 6, 2022

• 8.

  Woke up thinking about nothing but Brittney Griner. Lord please cover BG, both physically and mentally. It’s unfathomable what she’s going thru. Let’s keep her lifted. We love you BG. We love you.

  — Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) March 6, 2022

• 9.

  Brittney Griner is among the biggest names in women’s sports and she still has to compete in China and Russia in the off-season because the WNBA pays her just $227k annually, around the league max. She makes many times her WNBA salary playing overseas.
  
  Min. NBA salary is $925k.

  — Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) March 5, 2022

• 10.

  It taking three weeks for Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia to hit the news here is absurd and horrifying in a way that’s difficult to comprehend.
  
  Russia has some of the most anti-LGBTQ laws among major nations.
  
  It cannot be overstated the danger she’s in right now.

  — Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) March 5, 2022

• 11.

  Brittney Griner is one of the biggest stars of the league and a generational talent. This really is unsettling.

  — Khristina Williams (@Khristina) March 5, 2022

• 12.

  It’s a travesty that Brittney Griner has been in jail in Russia for 3 weeks and we are just now finding out. It’s not a coincidence she is in jail over a vape pen, while Russia is under heavy sanctions from the US for invading Ukraine and trying to start WWIII.
  Get her home!

  — Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 5, 2022

• 13.

  But how IS Brittney Griner? Is she safe? Is she scared? When will she be released? Why is this just coming out? What is her government doing to help?

  — Jawn Staley 🐴🤠🇺🇸🍑 (@errinhaines) March 5, 2022

• 14.

  Praying for Brittney Griner man. This is wild.

  — Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) March 5, 2022

• 15.

  Free Brittney Griner and free all those arrested and in prison on cannabis possession charges around the world

  — Dani Bar-Lavi (@dblfluidity) March 5, 2022

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