In February 2022, Griner was arrested by Russian officials for carrying vape pens in her luggage. She had been entering Russia to play with the Russian Premier League during the WNBA offseason. On August 4, 2022, Griner was sentenced to nine years in Russianprison.[4] On December 8, 2022, she was released by Russia during a prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout.[5]