Brittney Griner contemplated suicide while imprisoned in Russia

WNBA superstar Brittney Griner revealed that she thought about suicide while she was in Russian jail back in 2022. She talked about her experience with Robin Roberts in an hourlong interview that aired on ABC Wednesday night.

“I wanted to take my life more than once in the first weeks,” Griner told Roberts, per the Associated Press. “I felt like leaving here so badly.”

Griner was in prison after being arrested in Russia on drug-related charges. The 33-year-old basketball star pleaded guilty to the charges and received a nine-year sentence. Griner said she decided against suicide because she was afraid the Russian authorities wouldn’t release her body to her family. She was released from prison at the end of the year via a 1-for-1 prisoner swap with Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Before her release, Griner had 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.”

Griner was arrested after arriving at a Moscow airport and Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges that allegedly contained oil derived from cannabis. “I’m just like, ‘Oh my God. How did I make this mistake? How was I this absent-minded?'” she said, per USA Today. “I could just visualize everything I worked so hard for, it just crumbling and going away.”

Brittney Griner signs news contract with Phoenix Mercury

Griner missed the entire 2022 WNBA season due to her imprisonment. She returned last year and averaged 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest for the Phoenix Mercury. Her play in 2023 led to her being named to the All-Star team for the ninth time in her career.

In March, Griner signed a new contract with the Mercury. “Phoenix is home,” Griner said in a statement, per ESPN. “The love and support my wife and I have received from the organization, community and X-Factor over the last 11 years has meant everything to us. I’m excited to continue my career in a Mercury jersey and work towards bringing another championship back to the Valley.”

“BG has been a stalwart of the Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix community for the past decade, and we are excited that she will be with us as we build a team that can compete every night on both ends of the floor,” Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren said in a statement. “We know winning is what’s most important to her and that she can help lead us this year.”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.