The free agent who spent 10 months in a Russian prison signed a one year contract with the Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix Mercury center returned to U.S. on Dec. 9
"We have made a serious proposal to free American prisoners. We did not see a serious response from the Russian side to our proposal"
WNBA star convicted of smuggling drugs into country
WNBA star remains in Russian jail after drug smuggling conviction
Biden told CNN’s Jake Tapper, in an interview that aired Tuesday, that he would be open to talking with Putin about Griner’s release
"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.
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
