Brittney Griner Reveals She Contemplated Suicide During Russian Detainment

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WNBA star Brittney Griner is opening up about her time in Russian prison in her first sit-down interview since her 10-month detainment.

In a trailer for an upcoming 20/20 special called “Prisoner in Russia: The Brittney Griner Interview,” Griner answers questions from her experience, starting from when she was arrested on drug charges in February 2022, sentenced to nine years in Russian prison, and released in December 2022.

Griner says she felt "less than human" while being held inside a Russian penal colony, noting that her mattress "had a huge blood stain on it" and she had "no soap, no toilet paper." The basketball star reveals that she contemplated suicide, specifically describing a moment when a knife was readily available to her.

“I was just so scared for everything,” Griner tells interviewer Robin Roberts in a clip from the upcoming special obtained by PEOPLE.

The one-hour special will also include interviews with Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, and Special Presidential Envoy of Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens. “Prisoner in Russia: The Brittney Griner Interview" is set to air on May 1, with a first look at the special debuting on Good Morning America on Wednesday (April 24).

If you or someone you know need mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

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