Brittney Griner earned herself a standing ovation at the 54th NAACP Image Awards on Sunday.
Attending the annual National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ceremony by her wife Cherelle’s side, the former Miami Heat star delivered a passionate speech in which she called for the release of all American detainees abroad.
Griner’s speech comes after she spent nearly a year in a Russian penal colony after being found guilty on drug charges.
The WNBA star was released following 10 months in captivity after US authorities agreed to a prisoner exchange involving Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who was serving a 25-year sentence.
Now, Griner called on Americans to fight for their fellow citizens who are still in captivity in countries across the globe.
“It feels so good to be here, especially with my beautiful, amazing wife and with all of y’all here today,” she said.
“I want to thank everyone and let’s keep fighting to bring home every American still detained overseas.”
Meanwhile, Cherelle applauded the “black-led organizations” and “black women” who helped the basketballer return to her homeland.
“We are just truly so thankful to all the people, many of whom are black women and black-led organizations, who fought so hard to bring BG home, tonight,” she added.
The news comes shortly after Griner returned to the basketball scene by signing a one-year contract with Phoenix Mercury.
The athlete previously played for the team before her arrest and imprisonment in Russia.
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