sport news WNBA star Angel McCoughtry reveals she will NOT play basketball in Russia after ... trends now
The situation with Brittney Griner will force many WNBA athletes to change their plans for the league's offseason - with star Angel McCoughtry already saying she won't play in Russia again.
Griner's ten-month detention ended yesterday when she was released from Russia via a prisoner swap.
Angel McCoughtry - a former no. 1 overall pick in 2009 and a close friend of Griner's - spoke to TMZ and was overjoyed that her friend came back. She also revealed that the situation will result in her staying away from Russia - a country where many WNBA players have played in due to better salaries.
Angel McCoughtry (L) says she's celebrating the return of Team USA teammate Brittney Griner
'Oh my gosh, today is a celebration. Brittney is back, she's on solid ground,' McCoughtry told TMZ. 'Knowing Brittney, she's a big teddy bear. Her personality is so bubbly. I couldn't imagine the conditions she's gone through.'
'I couldn't imagine the conditions she's gone through. I played in Russia for three years, and that was probably one of the hardest places I had to play.'
'It was hard to make friends. People are introverted because of the weather. The sun doesn't come out. So, it's already kind of depressing being there, playing there.
'But, to be in that kind of environment, I'm so glad she's back. What an amazing feeling to wake up to that.'
McCoughtry (R) & Griner (L) played on Team USA when they won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics
McCoughtry added that she had an inclination that a deal for Griner was in the works, but wasn't informed of the details.
'We knew something was brewing, we just didn't know exactly what & when. But man, it came sooner than expected and I'm just so glad to wake up to that kind of news.'
While any future plans for Griner haven't been nailed down, McCoughtry and others plan to give her space before what they hope is an eventual return.
'You know,
