Brittney Griner is back home in the U.S. after a Russian prisoner swap

SAN ANTONIO — WNBA star Brittney Griner has landed on American soil after 10 months detained in Russia.

Griner landed at Kelly Airfield in San Antonio at 4:29 a.m. local time. She was brought to Brooke Army Medical Center, where she'll undergo evaluation and reunite with her wife, Cherelle Griner.

Updated December 9, 2022 at 7:00 AM ET

The 32-year-old Houston native was imprisoned in a Russian penal colony earlier this year after authorities there found cannabis oil in her luggage, sentencing her to nine years. The Biden Administration negotiated her release in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Griner's secure return achieved a top goal of President Biden, but he received criticism for failing to win freedom for another American, former Marine Paul Whelan, who has been jailed in Russia for nearly four years.

In a Thursday press conference, Biden said he spoke by phone to Griner and that she was safe and relieved but deserved privacy and rest. U.S. officials said she would receive specialized medical services and counseling.

Reporter Jia Chen of member station TPR reported from San Antonio. Emily Olson contributed reporting from Washington D.C. [Copyright 2022 NPR]