LOS ANGELES — From the hell of a Russian penal colony, an American basketball superstar pleads for her freedom.
"As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I'm terrified I might be here forever," writes Brittney Griner.
From the quiet of Cyrpto.com Arena, Griner's Phoenix Mercury teammates wonder whether anybody is listening.