Brittney Griner Speaks Up About Imprisoned WSJ Reporter: 'We Have To Get Him Back'

The WNBA star, who was detained in Russia herself in 2022, urged 32-year-old reporter Evan Gershkovich to "stay strong."

WNBA star Brittney Griner is sending words of hope to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who last year became the first journalist working for a U.S. outlet to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the end of the Cold War.

Gershkovich, 32, was sentenced Friday to 16 years in what the Journal called “a sham trial.”

“My heart goes out to him, his family and all his loved ones,” Griner told NBC’s Liz Kreutz in an interview following the sentencing. “We have to get him back. We have to. I’ve went through that and understand what that means.”

When asked what she would tell Gershkovich in person if she could, Griner urged: “Stay strong. I know the fight is happening, and we’re pushing, and you never know when that day is going to come — but just don’t lose hope.

Griner was detained in Russia herself when customs officials found small amounts of medically prescribed hash oil in her luggage in 2022. The Phoenix Mercury star spent 10 months in prison before U.S. officials negotiated a controversial prisoner swap in late 2023.