Brittney Griner's coach on Russian detention: "If it was Lebron, would he be at home?"

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Brittney Griner coach Vanessa Nigard said on Monday thatWNBA superstar influencemay be a factor in why there is no urgency to drive her out of Russian prisons. I suggested.

Nygaard said theLos Angeles Lakerssuperstar would have been at home if LeBron James had been trapped abroad before the team played against the Los Angeles Sparks. ..

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WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner in Moscow, Russia Monday, June 27, 2022, attending a hearing in a court in the suburbs of Khimki.(AP Photo / Alexander Zemlianichenko)

"If it was Revlon, would he be at home?" She asked. "It's a statement about the value of women. It's a statement about the value of black people. It's a statement about the value of gay people. All of them. And we know it. And what's that? It hurts a little more.

In his first season as Mercury's head coach, Nigard said Greener's letter to the White House made her cry.

"It's great that she was able to deliver that message to us, and hopefully some people are paying attention to it," she added. ..

Phoenix Mercury Head Coach Vanessa Nigard Watch at the WNBA On July 2, 2022, the Phoenix Mercury-Chicago Sky match at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Melissa Tamez / Icon Sports Wire via Getty Images)

Greener's letter was delivered to the White House on Monday. She wanted President Joe Biden and the rest of his administration to "remember me and other American detainees" in Russia.

WNBA Star Brittney Griner's wife laments Biden's "appetizing" silence on Russian detention

Griner's letter White House passed to  Through her representative. Most of the content remained private, but her representative shared some excerpts.

"... When I'm sitting here in a Russian prison, I'm here forever, just in my opinion, without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jerseys, or achievements. I'm afraid it might be. "WNBA superstar wrote.

" On July 4, our family is usually of our freedom, including our father, a veteran of the Vietnamese war. Celebrate the service of those who fought for. This year is completely different from mine. "

Greener Using Presidential Authority to Weiden I begged to ensure her return. She was arrested in February for bringing an arc cartridge containing cannabis-derived oil to Moscow Airport.

WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner (C) ) Arrived on July 1, 2022, at a hearing at the Himki Court on the outskirts of Moscow.(KIRILLKUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images)

"Do everything you can to bring us I vote for the first time in 2020 And voted for you. I believe in you. I still have something to do with my freedom and can help you recover, "the letter partially read. "I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! Knowing that they are suffering so much now, I die. Thank you for everything you can do now to get me home."

The White House National Security Council confirmed that the White House received Grinner's letter.

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"The Russian Federation has Brittney Griner I believe I'm being torted. "NSC spokeswoman Adrian Watson said on Monday." President Byden, including Brittney Griner, has been held hostage or illegally detained abroad. It is clear that all U.S. citizens who are present need to be released. The U.S. government will proactively take her home by all means. "

AP Correspondence contributed to this report.