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  • Meet Brittney Griner, the US basketball star who was detained in Russia after local authorities said they found vape cartridges in her luggage

Meet Brittney Griner, the US basketball star who was detained in Russia after local authorities said they found vape cartridges in her luggage

Marielle DescalsotaMar 7, 2022, 16:21 IST

Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury high fives her teammate before Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky on October 13, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.Michael Gonzales/NBAE/Getty Images

  • American basketball player Brittney Griner, 31, was detained in Russia after local authorities said they found vape cartridges in her suitcase.
  • Griner plays for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia.
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Brittney Griner, 31, is a decorated American basketball player. SB Nation describes her as "one of the top players in the history of college sport."

Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury poses for a photo at practice and media availability during the 2021 WNBA Finals on October 16, 2021, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty Images

In February, Griner was detained at a Moscow airport for carrying vape cartridges containing hashish oil, said Russian authorities, per the Associated Press.

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In 2014, Griner started playing for Russia-based UMMC Ekaterinburg in the WNBA off-season.

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner, center, warms up before Game 5 of the team's WNBA basketball playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Las Vegas.Chase Stevens/AP

Griner is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

United States' Brittney Griner (15) poses with her gold medal during the medal ceremony for women's basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Saitama, Japan.Charlie Neibergall/AP
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Griner's towering physique — she's 6'9" — helps her stand out from the crowd, even when it's a crowd of basketball players.

Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury puts up a shot over Azurá Stevens #30 of the Chicago Sky during the second half in Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Footprint Center on October 13, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Sky 91-86 in overtime.Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Griner is married to her high school sweetheart, Cherelle Watson.

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Griner is the youngest of four siblings.

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