WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Ru sia in a prisoner swap for convicted international arms dealer Viktor Bouton Thursday. It was first reported by and Zach Pascal Jersey later confirmed by President Joe Biden and U.S. officials.Griner had been detained in Ru sia since March 5 after customs service officials found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage at the Sheremetyevo airport. She was competing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Ru sian Premier League during the WNBA offseason when Ru sia's invasion of Ukraine forced many WNBA players playing overseas to come home. , the United States has managed to negotiate a prisoner swap to bring the 32-year-old home.For more information on Griner's release, The Sporting News has you covered below. On Thursday, CBS News reported that Griner has been released from Ru sia in a prisoner swap forconvicted international arms dealer Viktor Bout."The one-for-one exchange agreement negotiated with Moscow in recent weeks was given final approval by President Biden within just the last week," the CBS report stated.A White House official confirmed to CBS that President Biden spoke to Griner over the phone in the Oval Office, joined by Griner's wife, Cherelle, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.The swap took place on Thursday in the United Arab Emirates and Griner is in the custody of the United States.Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.She is safe.She is on a plane.She is on her way home. President Biden (@POTUS) "I spoke with Brittney Griner. She's safe. She's on a plane. She's on her way home. After months of being unjustly detained in Ru sia, held under intolerable circumstances, Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones and she should have been there all along," President Biden said in Julian Blackmon Jersey a pre s conference, joined by Vice President Harris and Griner's wife, Cherelle.BREAKING: Pres. Biden: "I spoke with Brittney Griner. She's safe. She's on a plane. She's on her way home...Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones and she should have been there all along." ABC News (@ABC) "Over the last nine months, you all have been so privy to one of the darkest moments of my life and so today, I'm just standing here overwhelmed with emotions but the most important emotion I have right now is sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration," Cherelle said."... Today my family is whole, but as you all are aware, there are so many other families who are not whole. BG's not here to say this but I will gladly speak on her behalf and say that BG and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home, including Paul (Whelan), whose family is in our hearts today as we celebrate BG being home.""Today my family is whole but as you all are aware, Mo Alie-Cox Jersey there's so many families who are not whole."Cherelle Griner pledges she and Brittney Griner "will remain committed to the work of getting every American home." ABC News (@ABC) Griner's wife was referencing ex-United States Marine Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Ru sia since December 2018 on suspicion of spying. Whelan's family has i sued a statement of support in regard to Griner's release.NEW from the Whelan family: "There is no greater succe s than for a wrongful detainee to be freed for them to go home. The Biden Admin made Keke Coutee Jersey the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, to make the deal that was po sible, rather than waiting for one that wasn't going to.. Nick Kalman (@NickKalmanFN) WNBA Commi sioner Cathy Engelbert i sued the following statement regarding Brittney Griner: NBA Communications (@NBAPR) NBA Commi sioner Adam Silver today i sued the following statement regarding Brittney Griner: NBA Communications (@NBAPR) Griner was playing forUMMC Ekaterinburg in the Ru sian Premier League during the WNBA offseason whenRu sia's invasion of Ukraine led many WNBA players playing overseas to come home.She was detained in Ru siaafter customs service officials found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage at the Sheremetyevo airport.The customs service also of an individual at the airport who appeared to be Griner going through security.Ru sian state TV showed a photo of Griner as part of a segment that aired on March 5. The photo was reportedly taken at a Ru sian police station.Ru sian state TV has released a photo of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was arrested on drug charges in the country after Ru sian officials say cannabis oil was found in her luggage. CNN's has the story. CNN (@CNN) A judge in Ru sia convicted Griner of drug po se sion and smuggling on Aug. 4 and sentenced her to nine years in prison, bringing an end to her trial. Prosecutors had asked the court to sentence Griner to nine-and-a-half years in prison, After Griner's appeal was rejected on Oct. 25, she was transferred to a Ru sian penal colony, but her Ru sian legal team didn't know where she was going, . The transfer proce s reportedly began on Nov. 4. Griner's attorneys and U.S. officials were not aware that Griner had been moved until Nov. 8.One month later, Griner is coming home to the United States after President Biden reached an agreement with Moscow on Carson Wentz Jersey the one-for-one exchange for convicted international arms dealer, Viktor Bout.