It was in December that Griner, after being sentenced to nine years in prison for drug crimes, was allowed to return to his home country after a high-profile prisoner exchange in which the United States simultaneously released the Russian arms dealer Viktor But.
After being a "free agent", 32-year-old Griner has now signed a new contract with Phoenix, the club she was drafted by in 2013 and won the American basketball league WNBA with the following year.
- We missed "BG" every day she was gone.
Although basketball was not our primary concern, her presence on the floor, in the locker room, in and around our organization was sorely missed, says the club's general manager Jim Pitman, according to The Guardian.
- This is a special signing and today is a special day for all of us.
On May 21, Griner, who has won two Olympic gold medals with the USA, is expected to play his first home game for the Arizona club.