Brittney Griner welcomes release of Americans in prisoner swap

(Photo credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

LILLE, France -- U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner, who was released from detention in Russia in a prisoner swap in 2022, has welcomed the return of Americans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan in a similar deal on Thursday.

Journalist Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Whelan were released by Russia as part of the biggest East-West prisoner exchange since the end of