Reports indicate meeting to take place Friday
Former NBA star says he plans to 'go this week'
"I started thinking, 'what if that was me, or my mother or cousin?' I'd want to know someone was rooting for my return"
Russian court on Aug. 4 convicted WNBA star of drug smuggling.
Speaking publicly last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had confirmed that he was "ready to discuss" a potential deal
"Bringing U.S. nationals home who are being wrongfully detained, who are being held hostage has been a priority" the White House said
WNBA star sentenced to nine years in penal colony
Call took place after public acknowledgment of deal to secure U.S. citizens release
Blinken's statement marked the first public acknowledgment that the American government had taken action to secure the release of Griner
The shoe drive was originally an initiative by Griner to help those in need in the Phoenix metropolitan area
