Brittney Griner has put an end to all speculation about her sporting future and announced the continuation of her career.
"I want to make one thing clear," the 32-year-old shared on her Instagram account: "I will be playing basketball again for Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA this season."
She is looking forward to “personally saying thank you in this way to all those who stood up for her during her time in Russian captivity.
According to Griner, special thanks go to US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the entire Biden-Harris administration.
"You brought me home and I know that you are determined to bring all Americans home." She will use her platform and do everything to support the government.
The last ten months have been "a struggle in every way": "It feels so good to be at home." She had to give everything to keep her faith.
The love of many helped her.
"From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you all for your help," Griner wrote.
She wants to spend the upcoming holidays at home with her family.
Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison for drug smuggling at the beginning of August and was most recently taken from Moscow to the Russian Republic of Mordovia.
It went to the so-called IK-2 penal colony in Javas, 500 kilometers and an eight-hour drive from the capital.
Last week, the athlete was released in a spectacular prisoner exchange.
Griner had been traded for the Russian arms dealer Wiktor But.