Griner’s Appeal Denied, U.S. Push Presses On – Becky Hammon Calls Her a ‘Political Pawn’ While U.S. Still Seeks Justice

1. A Court’s Unyielding Verdict

On October 25, 2022, a Russian court in Krasnogorsk formally rejected Brittney Griner’s appeal against her nine‑year sentence for drug charges. The verdict was upheld “without change,” though her pre‑trial detention time would be counted as a day‑and‑a‑half toward the total sentence, effectively shrinking the remaining time slightly to about eight years The Sun+15Radio France Internationale+15Deutsche Welle+15.

Griner had pleaded guilty via video link from her detention center. Despite arguing that packing cannabis oil vape cartridges was an accident, her legal team noted that most defendants in similar cases receive about five years or parole—making Griner’s sentence unusually harsh The Sun+10Radio France Internationale+10Deutsche Welle+10.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the decision “another failure of justice, compounding the injustice of her detention,” emphasizing that securing her release remains a top priority Reddit+5AP News+5San Francisco Chronicle+5.

2. Biden Administration Reacts: Sham Proceedings and Bold Offers

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan condemned the court’s ruling as “another sham judicial proceeding” that ensures Griner remains “wrongfully detained under intolerable circumstances” PBS+15AP News+15Radio France Internationale+15.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden—having met with Griner’s wife, Cherelle, in September—personally reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to bring her home. He described Griner’s detention as “unacceptable” and the appeals process as lacking legitimacy The Sun+5AP News+5Deutsche Welle+5.

Both Griner and fellow detainee Paul Whelan have been offered in a proposed prisoner swap involving Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S.—but Russia has yet to publicly respond to those overtures The Sun+9AP News+9Reddit+9.

3. Becky Hammon Speaks Out: A ‘Punch in the Gut’

Former WNBA player and current ESPN NBA analyst and coach Becky Hammon weighed in on the controversy, calling Griner’s ordeal “a punch to the gut” and labeling her imprisonment “morally wrong.”

She accused Russian authorities of turning Griner into a political pawn, urging the international community to pay attention. Hammon—who holds Russian citizenship herself—made it clear this isn’t merely a legal issue but a diplomatic crisis that transcends sports San Francisco Chronicle+2NBA+2The Sun+2.

Hammon also invoked a pointed comparison: “If this were LeBron James, would he still be sitting there?” she asked, underscoring the broader discrepancy in public treatment of high-profile male stars versus female athletes like Griner Radio France Internationale.

4. The Unfolding Human Toll

Griner, now 32, is widely recognized as one of women’s basketball’s elite—an eight-time WNBA All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist, scoring champion, Defensive Player of the Year, and WNBA champion—making her detention all the more jarring PBSen.wikipedia.org.

Her legal team expressed profound disappointment with the ruling: “Brittney’s biggest fear is that she is not exchanged and will have to serve the whole sentence in Russia,” they said, highlighting her emotional turmoil as each day away from family counts Voice of America+3NBA+3The Guardian+3.

Her wife, Cherelle Griner, also released an emotional statement, revealing how drastically her own mental health has suffered during Brittney’s ordeal—emphasizing that the impact of wrongful detention extends well beyond the individual jailed .

5. What Makes This Case So Politically Charged?

The denial of Griner’s appeal—and the lack of due process—fits the pattern seen in other high-profile detentions of Americans in Russia. Washington considers Griner wrongfully detained, while Russian courts emphasize procedural legality over transparency or proportionality AP NewsDeutsche Welle.

Hammon’s public denouncement marks a historic moment: a coaching figure with personal ties to Russia publicly challenging the system. It underscores how her case has shattered lines between sports, diplomacy, and individual rights Radio France Internationale.

6. Diplomatic Moves and Political Windows

In July 2022, Secretary Blinken revealed that the U.S. had made a “substantial proposal” for a swap but that Russia remained unresponsive, increasing tension amid already frayed U.S.–Russia relations over Ukraine Reddit+7AP News+7Reddit+7.

The broader implication? If Russia again ignores diplomatic channels or withholds progress, it becomes a public test of U.S. resolve, especially since this case now includes political symbolism and global scrutiny.

7. The Road Ahead: Legal, Diplomatic, Emotional

Without a successful appeal or a prisoner swap breakthrough, Griner’s case may stretch into 2023. Her legal team continues exploring options, but Russia’s judiciary shows no sign of leniency Radio France InternationaleThe Moscow Times.

Support from the WNBA and NBA communities continues, with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert calling for urgent resolution and player associations insisting Griner is being treated as a hostage The Sun+3NBA+3San Francisco Chronicle+3.

Public campaigns remain critical. Griner’s legal team urges ongoing letter‑writing and global advocacy to maintain visibility—especially as attention spans shift and media moves on ABC NewsNBA.

8. Beyond Sports: A Human Story in Political Crosshairs

Griner’s detention—initially rooted in what U.S. authorities view as a minor drug offense—has evolved into a cavernous symbol of diplomatic deadlock and individual injustice.

Her case illustrates painful intersections: gender bias, media coverage disparities, and how global politics can ensnare individuals—regardless of their merits.

Hammon’s words crystalize this: “It’s unjust that we’re ignoring this because she’s not a male superstar.” Griner is not just a case. She is a person turned into a headline, a cause, a moral crisis Radio France Internationale.

9. Key Facts at a Glance

Griner’s Sentence: 9 years; appeal denied in October 2022; pre-trial time counted 1.5× per day.

Charges: Drug possession—medicinal cannabis oil in vape cartridges, reportedly carried by mistake.

U.S. Position: Wrongfully detained; diplomatic pressure for release underway; swap offer includes Paul Whelan.

Public Figures: Becky Hammon breaks Russian‑aligned silence; President Biden and Secretary Blinken continue pressure.

Fan Support: Widespread campaigns, public prayers, and pleas for swift action persist.

10. Final Thoughts

Brittney Griner’s case is no longer just a matter of criminal law—it has become a test of international values, media attention, diplomatic leverage, and moral responsibility.

With appeals exhausted, negotiations languishing, and time passing, every missed day feels like a global failure. President Biden has pledged to leverage all available channels. But without meaningful public pressure and moral clarity, the path home remains uncertain.

As Becky Hammon said: “This isn’t normal.” The world must decide whether to act—or continue standing by as a champion remains detained under conditions she never deserved.