Phoenix Mercury call on US gov't to bring WNBA superstar Griner home from Russia

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ANKARA (AA) - The WNBA team Phoenix Mercury called on the US government to bring their player Brittney Griner home from Russia as the 31-year-old remains in custody for drug-related charges.

Amid a campaign to get Griner out of Russia, the Mercury said in a tweet on Monday: "123 days. Bring Brittney home."

A 2014 WNBA champion and seven-time WNBA All-Star, Griner was arrested by Russian police on Feb. 17 for alleged cannabis oil possession in her luggage.

Last week, Russia extended Griner's detention until July 2.

Griner has been playing for the Mercury since 2013.

In the meantime, she has made appearances for overseas teams in the WNBA off-seasons and recently played for Russia's UMMC Ekaterinburg.

The NBA and WNBA community -- including NBA superstars such as the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, and the Boston Celtics -- have joined a campaign to support Griner and get her back to US.