Griner was arrested in February after the Russian Federal Customs Service claimed it found hashish oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport. The New York Times reported that a criminal case had been opened into the “large-scale transportation of drugs.”
Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court hearing in early July. She said she did not want to break the law and packed for her trip in a hurry.
President Joe Biden released a statement calling the sentencing “unacceptable.” Griner’s defense lawyers reportedly said that they would appeal Thursday’s verdict.
MORE: The complete Brittney Griner detainment timeline
Many NBA and WNBA players took to social media to react to the latest on Griner.
