BRITTNEY GRINER: “I grew up in a normal house, normal household in Houston Texas with my siblings and my mom and my dad.
My mom stayed at home took care of me. And my sister and my dad. He went to work and provided for our family.
My parents taught me two important things, one: take ownership for your responsibilities and two: work hard for everything that you have That's why I pled guilty to my charges. I understand everything that's being said, against me, the charges that are against me and that is why I pled guilty, but I had no intent to break any Russian laws.
I want the court to understand that it was an honest mistake that I made, while in while rushing under stress, trying to recover from COVID and just trying to get back to my team.
The hard work that my parents instilled in me, that hard work that my parents instilled in me is what brought me to play for the best Euroleague and the best Russian team here, УГМК.
I had no idea that the team, the city, the fans, my teammates, would make such a great impression on me, over the six and a half years that I've spent here in УГМК.
It became my second home with my friends, my teammates, and my fans that I was able to interact with. I remember vividly coming out of the gym and all the little girls that were in the stands there, waiting on me. And that's what kept making me come back here.
I want to apologize to my teammates, my club the fans and the City of Ekat for my mistake that I made, and the embarrassment that I brought on them.
I want to also apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization back at home. The amazing women of the WNBA and my amazing spouse. I've never meant to hurt anybody. I never meant to put in jeopardy the Russian population and never meant break any laws here. I made an honest mistake and I hope that in your ruling that it doesn't end my life here.
I know everybody keeps talking about ‘political pawn’ and politics, but I hope that that is far from this courtroom. I want to say again that I had no intent on breaking any Russian laws, I had no intent, I did not conspire or plan to commit this crime.
I hope that you take into account. All the documents, all the character lists that everybody sent in on my behalf.
Again I want to apologize to my teammates and organization УГМК for any damage that I may have done to them. I never intended on hurting them. This is my second home. And all I want to do is just win championships and make them proud
