Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving speaks earlier than the staff’s sport towards the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, in New York. Irving spoke about WNBA star Brittney Griner, who's in jail in Russia. Frank Franklin II, Related Press
Kyrie Irving continued his effort to safe WNBA star Brittney Griner’s launch from Russia throughout his staff’s season opener on Wednesday.
Chatting with the Brooklyn crowd forward of the Nets’ battle towards the New Orleans Pelicans, Irving referred to as on everybody — and President Joe Biden, specifically — to do their half to deliver Griner house.
“Please, please POTUS, do your job. Everyone do your job, please deliver our sister house,” he mentioned, in keeping with The Hill.
Why is Brittney Griner in Russia?
Griner is serving a nine-year jail sentence in Russia after being convicted of smuggling medicine into the nation. She was arrested on Feb. 17 after being caught with hashish oil on the airport, ESPN reported.
Griner had been in Russia forward of her arrest to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg, a part of the Russian Premier girls’s basketball league, in keeping with CBS.
NBA gamers communicate out in help of Brittney Griner
Over the previous seven months, a number of NBA gamers have spoken out to name for Griner’s launch, together with Irving. He tweeted about her plight on Tuesday and shared birthday needs for her, as effectively.
“I'm praying for you proper alongside everybody else that loves and cares about you!” he mentioned.
LeBron James tweeted in help of Griner in June, calling on different athletes to do the identical.
“We have to come collectively and assist do no matter we presumably can to deliver BG house rapidly and safely!! Our voice as athletes is stronger collectively,” he mentioned.
Steph Curry additionally expressed his hope for her protected return in June. Like Irving, he did so once more this week.
“We need to proceed to let her title be identified,” Curry mentioned Tuesday evening throughout a hoop ceremony for the Golden State Warriors, who gained the NBA championship in June, The Hill reported.