Brittney Griner Feels If LeBron, Top Stars Were Detained There'd Be Different Reaction

Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner said the reaction to her detainment in Russia would have been different if the situation occurred to other star athletes.

When former NFL MVP Cam Newton asked Griner if the response wouldn't be the same if himself, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton or Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry were put in her situation, she replied.

"Yes. I definitely think public reaction would have been different," Griner told Newton on his YouTube channel (12:30 mark).

"I think the media and the public reaction would have been different, they wouldn't have automatically roped me off as a drug addict, a druggie, delinquent," she added. "I think it would have been a different standpoint."

In Feb. 2022, Griner was detained by the Russian Federal Customs Service at a Moscow airport for suspected drug possession. She remained in a Russian prison for 10 months until she returned to the United States following a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout.

While Griner's return generated buzz, she eventually came back to the WNBA and rejoined the Phoenix Mercury at the time.

The nine-time All-Star has averaged 10.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game with the Dream this season.