Brittney Griner Reflects on Heartbreaking Moment She Was Detained in Russia in Exclusive ’20/20′ Special

WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was released from Russian custody in a December 2022 prisoner exchange, spoke for the first time about her harrowing experience in a Russian prison in an exclusive interview to air on May 1 in a special edition of “20/20.” “Good Morning America” ​​will be revealed for the first time earlier today.

Griner, 33, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and nine-time WNBA All-Star who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, reflected on the “mental lapse” that led to her months-long detention in Russia when shotgun shells vapor containing cannabis oil — an illegal substance in the country — were found in his luggage.

“I could just visualize everything I worked so hard for, just breaking down and leaving,” Griner told Roberts. “And then to find yourself somewhere where there is no understanding.”

Griner was returning to Russia to play during the WNBA offseason when she was arrested on February 17, 2022 at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Khimki after the cartridges were discovered.

“You know, there are those who say: ‘Come on. How did you know you had cartridges in your luggage?’ asked Roberts.

“Have you ever forgotten your keys in your car? Did you leave your car running? Have you ever… you know, where are my glasses? They are above your head. Where is my phone ? Oh, it’s in my pocket. It’s so easy to make a mental mistake,” Griner said.

“Certainly, my mental breakdown was on a larger scale. But that doesn’t take away from how it can happen,” she added.

Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges on July 7, 2022, claiming vape cartridges containing hash oil were unintentionally in his luggage. She said she had “no intention” of breaking Russian law and had packed the cartridges by accident.

“It was a mistake. It was an accident, and I understand that accidents have repercussions,” Griner told Roberts. “And I’m an American in Russia, where relations aren’t the best. You know?”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began a week after Griner’s arrest on February 17, 2022 – a war that escalated tensions between Russia and the United States. Some U.S. officials have also expressed concern that Americans imprisoned in Russia could be used as leverage in the ongoing conflict.

The Houston native said when she realized the cartridges were in her bag, she thought of her family.

“I think of my wife. I think of my father. You know, what my mother is going to think, what my family is going to think, public opinion is going to think. You know, I just see the headlines now,” she said.

Griner’s family, including his wife Cherelle Griner, were strong advocates for her release and continually called on the Biden White House to intervene and bring her home.

The U.S. State Department classified Griner’s case as “wrongfully detained” in May 2022 and the Biden administration worked for months to secure her freedom. During Griner’s detention, top athletes from the WNBA and NBA drew attention to her case on and off the court, lobbying the Biden White House for her release.

She was sentenced to nine years in prison on August 4, 2022, but under increasing pressure on the White House to strike a deal and bring her home, the United States agreed to trade Griner for the arms dealer Russian Viktor Bout and she was released on August 4, 2022. December 8, 2022 after almost 10 months in prison.

Griner exclusively announced to “GMA” on Feb. 6 that she is set to release a new memoir on May 7 titled “Coming Home” — a book that will detail her harrowing incarceration in Russia and subsequent release.

“‘Coming Home’ begins in a country where my roots grew and is the diary of my heartaches and regrets,” Griner said in a statement. “But ultimately the book is also about how my family, my faith, and the support of millions of people who rallied to my rescue helped me endure a nightmare.”

ABC News’ Eboni Griffin, Joseph Diaz, Gail Deutsch, Susan Welsh, Netsanet Negussie, Kaitlin Amoroso, Danielle Genet and Chris Donovan contributed to this report.