Brittney Griner's wife details events surrounding release in chat with Gayle King
Cherelle Griner told the "CBS Mornings" co-host she got a call from the White House about a week ago saying they were "feeling optimistic."
Watch CBS News
Cherelle Griner told the "CBS Mornings" co-host she got a call from the White House about a week ago saying they were "feeling optimistic."
The Russian arms dealer has been released from U.S. prison in a one-for-one swap to free WNBA star Brittney Griner, a U.S. official confirmed.
Paul Whelan, a 52-year-old retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has been imprisoned in Russia on espionage charges since his arrest at the end of 2018.
Brittney Griner's family, friends and fans are celebrating now that the WNBA star is headed back to the United States after being detained in Russia for the past nine months.
Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who was held for months in Russian prisons on drug charges, was released Thursday in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to a U.S. official.
A Baylor University professor is gaining attention on social media for an article he published about Baylor grad and women's basketball standout Brittney Griner.
Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted for possession of a small quantity of cannabis oil.
Griner has been sentenced for drug possession after vape canisters containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage.
Brittney Griner remains in a Russian prison ahead of an appeal hearing on Oct. 25.
More of Gayle King's interview with Cherelle Griner will air on "CBS Mornings" on Thursday, October 6.
A Russian court has set a date for American basketball star Brittney Griner's appeal against her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession.
As the WNBA star's lawyers appeal her 9-year jail sentence, a Russian official has confirmed ongoing talks with the U.S. about a potential prisoner swap.
Griner's teammates say they approached Thursday's game "with a heavy heart": "It's like you're just waiting for a bomb to drop."
WNBA star Brittney Griner was found guilty of drug possession and smuggling by a Russian court on Thursday.
Russian officials said Thursday that negotiations had been taking place for a possible prisoner swap between the United States and Russia, but that a deal had not yet been reached.
The secretary of state said securing the Americans' release remains a "top priority" for the U.S.
Moscow has warned Washington to "refrain from futile attempts to pressure us" amid hope for an eventual prisoner swap to get the WNBA star back home.
Russian news agencies say jailed WNBA player Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug possession and smuggling charges during her trial in Moscow.
Brittney Griner was ordered to stand trial Friday by a court near Moscow on cannabis possession charges, about 4 1/2 months after her arrest at an airport.
"She should not be detained for a single day longer," a State Department spokesman said Tuesday.
Hundreds of emails have been sent by players to an account Griner's agent set up.