Professional basketball player Brittney Griner has been named an honorary WNBA All-Star and starter.
Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February after authorities allegedly found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage, plays for the Phoenix Mercury.
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“During each season of Brittney’s career in which there has been an All-Star Game, she has been selected as an All-Star,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a statement. “It is not difficult to imagine that if BG were here with us this season, she would once again be selected and would, no doubt, show off her incredible talents. So, it is only fitting that she be named as an honorary starter today and we continue to work on her safe return to the U.S.”
Russian authorities arrested Griner at an airport near Moscow on Feb. 17, alleging that they found cannabis oil, which is illegal in the country. Griner was playing basketball for Russian Premier League team UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA’s offseason.
The State Department in May designated Griner as “wrongfully detained” in Russia, moving her case to the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, the government’s lead hostage negotiation office.
Griner’s detention has been extended numerous times by Russian authorities. Most recently, her scheduled release date was pushed to July 2, per Russian media outlets.
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All-Stars are generally selected through a combination of fan, media, and player voting and drafting reserves. The AT&T WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled to take place July 10.
