Chrismckradio 10:58 pm

Breaking news, WNBA, Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner was sentenced to 9 years in a Russian prison for smuggling drugs into the country. US President Joe Biden says he will continue to work hard to securing Griner's release to send her home by a prisoner swap deal with Russia, according to reports.

Griner was arrested back in February at an airport in Russia for having cannabis in her luggage. She was returning to Russia to play for her Russian team during the WNBA offseason.

Russian prosecutors wanted her to get a 9 and a half year sentence. The judge stated Griner intently brought the drugs into the country, and she must serve her time in prison. Griner's defense attorneys says they will appeal.

President Biden was very upset about Griner's sentencing.

"Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney. It's unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates."

The WNBA issued a statement today after hearing about Griner's sentencing in Russia: " Today's verdict and sentence, while inevitable, is disappointing. The unjust decision today is what it is, unjust. Whatever conversations Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Russian counterpart need to have, we trust that they are having them with all deliberate speed. Because it's time, it's just time."