Brittney Griner tells Gershkovich ‘don’t lose hope’ after 16-year verdict

WNBA star and Olympian Brittney Griner, who also spent nearly a year in Russian custody, offered advice to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich after he was sentenced to 16 years in prison Friday on espionage charges: “Don’t lose hope.”

“I went through that, and I understand what that means,” Griner said in an interview Friday with NBC News, after the sentence was handed down, adding “We have to get him back, we have to.”

“I know the fight is happening and we’re pushing,” she continued. “You never know when that day is going to come, but just don’t lose hope.”

It has been over a year since Griner was freed from Russian custody during a prisoner swap in late 2022. The Biden administration released Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout — also known as the “Merchant of Death” — in exchange for the basketball player, who was arrested on drug smuggling charges while playing for the Premier League in Russia.

U.S. officials deemed she was “wrongfully detained” after she was sentenced to nine years in prison. She spent a month in a Russian penal colony before being released.

Griner has made a successful transition back to the U.S., welcoming a baby boy with her wife, Cherelle, and making a return to the Phoenix Mercury’s roster, as well as the U.S. 2024 Olympic team.

Gershkovich has been detained since he was arrested in March 2023 and accused of collecting Russian military secrets on behalf of the U.S. government. 

In a February interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that he would be open to a prisoner swap. It’s unclear how the sentencing will affect negotiations between Russia and the U.S. over a potential swap.

In May, Griner recounted her stay in Russian prison in stark detail to the New York Times. She described using ripped T-shirts to clean her teeth and body, taking up smoking to cope with the stress and having suicidal thoughts.

“Stay strong, stay strong,” Griner, who has been an advocate for the release of other Americans detained overseas, said to Gershkovich Friday.