Brittney Griner memoir to detail 'unfathomable' experience in Russia

The book is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2024.

"That day (in February) was the beginning of an unfathomable period in my life which only now am I ready to share," Griner said in a statement released Tuesday by Alfred A. Knopf, per an Associated Press and ESPN report. "The primary reason I traveled back to Russia for work that day was because I wanted to make my wife, family, and teammates proud. After an incredibly challenging 10 months in detainment, I am grateful to have been rescued and to be home. Readers will hear my story and understand why I'm so thankful for the outpouring of support from people across the world."

Griner was arrested and detained at a Moscow airport on drug possession charges in February 2022 and her nearly 10 months of detainment in Russia dominated headlines across the world. The arrest coincided with the start of the country's ongoing attack on Ukraine.

In early May, the U.S. government declared that the 32-year-old was being wrongfully detained, but she was later sentenced to nine years in prison. President Joe Biden completed a one-for-one prisoner swap in December to bring Griner home, sending Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout back in the deal.

"BG" signed a one-year deal to stay with the Mercury for the 2023 season in February.

According to the Associated Press and ESPN report, Griner said that she is hoping her book will raise awareness of other Americans detained overseas, such as "Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, arrested in Russia last month and accused of espionage; businessman Kai Li, serving a 10-year sentence in China on charges of revealing state secrets to the FBI; and Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive imprisoned in Russia on spying charges."

The seven-time All-Star is expected to make her return to the court when the new WNBA season begins on May 19, with the Phoenix facing the Los Angeles Sparks at 10 p.m. ET on the road. The Mercury will play its home opener on May 21 against the Chicago Sky.