Brittney Griner Is Back: WNBA Star Returns to Practice with Bold New Look After Russian Imprisonment and Sparks Excitement for 2025 Season

After months of uncertainty and international headlines, Brittney Griner, the Phoenix Mercury’s towering centerpiece and one of the most dominant players in WNBA history, has officially returned to team practice — and she’s back with a brand-new look that’s already making waves.

It’s been more than a year since Griner made headlines around the world due to her high-profile detainment in Russia. But this week, for the first time since her dramatic return to the United States, she walked back onto the Mercury’s training court — sporting a bold, fresh hairstyle and a fierce focus that fans have missed for far too long.

As the photo of her circulated on social media, one thing was clear: she’s not just back — she’s ready.

🏀 Griner Returns to Training With the Mercury

Earlier this week, the official Phoenix Mercury Twitter account posted a photo that stopped WNBA Twitter in its tracks. The image captured Brittney Griner, 32, mid-practice, preparing to launch a basketball with poise, power, and purpose. But beyond her form and focus, something else caught fans’ attention — her brand-new hairstyle.

“She’s back,” the caption read — simple, yet monumental.

The tweet was posted the same day Griner’s re-signing with the Mercury was announced. The timing wasn’t coincidental. It was a moment of full-circle return: from behind Russian bars to back on the hardwood in Phoenix, where she belongs.

✂️ A New Look That’s More Than Just Style

Griner’s hair — now cropped short and styled sharply — symbolizes more than just a cosmetic change. To many fans, it represents renewal, strength, and transformation. In a sport and a world where athletes’ appearances are often scrutinized, Griner’s striking new look has become an empowering statement: she’s not hiding from the past — she’s stepping fully into the present.

Social media erupted with praise, admiration, and emotional reactions. Some fans called it her “comeback crown.” Others noted how radiant and reenergized she looked — a far cry from the images of her from inside a Russian courtroom just months prior.

🛬 A Quick Recap: Her Detainment and Return

Griner’s absence in the 2022 WNBA season wasn’t due to injury or personal choice — it was the result of one of the most controversial international detentions of a U.S. athlete in recent memory.

On February 17, 2022, Griner was arrested at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow for carrying less than one gram of cannabis oil in her luggage — a substance that is illegal in Russia, though commonly used medicinally in parts of the U.S.

Despite pleas for leniency and wide international attention, Griner was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony in August 2022. For months, she remained behind bars, sparking outcries across the sports world and political spheres alike.

Then, in December 2022, Griner was finally released in a high-profile prisoner exchange for Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer. President Joe Biden personally announced her release, and Griner was flown back to the U.S. within hours of the swap.

💬 Her Message Upon Returning

After a short period of rest and recovery, Griner appeared publicly with her wife, Cherelle Griner, at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards, where she received a standing ovation.

In an emotional speech, she thanked everyone who had supported her during her imprisonment and then used the moment to advocate for Americans still detained abroad.

“I want to thank everyone,” she said. “And let’s keep fighting to bring all Americans who are still detained overseas back home.”

Her words solidified that she would not only resume her basketball career but also take on a new role: that of an advocate for justice and diplomacy.

🏆 A Career Worth Remembering — and Continuing

Prior to her detainment, Griner had built one of the most impressive resumes in WNBA history:

8× WNBA All-Star

2× WNBA Scoring Champion

2× Olympic Gold Medalist

WNBA Champion (2014)

Defensive Player of the Year

NCAA Champion with Baylor University

She is widely considered one of the most dominant centers the league has ever seen, thanks to her elite shot-blocking, rebounding, and scoring ability. Her 6’9″ frame and unmatched athleticism made her a nightmare for opposing teams — and a pillar of Phoenix Mercury’s identity.

In a sport constantly evolving, Griner has remained a force of stability and power. Her presence on the court isn’t just impactful — it’s transformational.

📉 Mercury’s 2022 Season Without Her

Griner’s absence was felt deeply by her teammates and the organization.

In the 2022 WNBA season, the Mercury struggled, finishing with a 15–21 record and falling out in the first round of the playoffs. Without Griner’s interior defense and offensive post presence, the team lacked its traditional balance and firepower.

Her teammates — many of whom wore “BG42” patches and rallied publicly for her release — spoke often of the emotional toll her absence took. But they also vowed to stay competitive and keep her spirit alive until she could return.

📝 Re-signing With Phoenix: A New Beginning

Now officially re-signed with the Mercury, Griner’s return brings new hope to the franchise and its fans. Although the team has gone through changes and challenges, the re-addition of their star center means they now have the interior anchor they’ve sorely missed.

Team executives expressed excitement in their official statement:

“Brittney has always been the heart of this team, both on and off the court. We’re proud to welcome her home.”

It’s not just about points or rebounds — it’s about identity, leadership, and redemption.

💪 Training Day: Focused and Fierce

This week’s practice wasn’t just symbolic — it was intense.

Sources at the team facility noted that Griner came in laser-focused, participating in full drills and showing signs of her old self. Coaches reported that her conditioning was “ahead of expectations” and her timing “surprisingly sharp,” despite her long absence from competition.

Teammates welcomed her back with open arms, and some admitted they felt emotional seeing her back in Mercury gear.

“Having BG back changes everything,” one teammate shared. “It’s not just about basketball. It’s about family.”

🎤 What’s Next for Griner?

With training camp in full swing and the 2025 WNBA season looming, expectations for Brittney Griner are high — but realistic.

Analysts predict that she may take some time to fully return to peak performance, but even at 75–80%, Griner remains one of the most impactful players in the league.

She’s also expected to continue her advocacy work, with several public appearances and partnerships already planned in connection with detainee rights and international diplomacy.

📱 Social Media Reacts: “Queen Energy”

Griner’s new look lit up social media platforms from Instagram to Twitter to TikTok. Her hairstyle became a trending topic, with hashtags like #BGIsBack, #GrinerReturns, and #NewEraNewEnergy trending in WNBA circles.

Some reactions included:

“She looks stronger than ever. That haircut screams confidence.”

“From a prison cell to a training gym — RESPECT.”

“Welcome back, Queen. We missed you.”