Brittney Griner, the two-time WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist, was thrust back into the spotlight this week—this time thanks to political commentator Ben Shapiro. He didn’t hold back during a segment on The Ben Shapiro Show, roasting the 2022 prisoner swap that traded Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for Griner.
“That’s a Russian, isn’t it? She’s an American. I thought after she was left in Russia for long enough, then they would take her, but no. We traded an arms dealer to get this one out,” Shapiro said, referencing Griner’s high-profile release. He followed up with another sharp line: “Fact check: true.” His tone echoed the outrage some conservatives voiced over the deal.
The context: in December 2022, the U.S. swapped Bout—convicted of conspiracy to kill Americans—for Griner, who was serving a nine-year sentence for cannabis possession in Russia. It was a high-stakes move that drew both support and criticism. Many applauded the rescue; others slammed it as capitulating to foreign pressure.
Griner has since reignited her career with the Atlanta Dream. In her first 2025 preseason game, she hit a three-pointer in her first possession and has moved back into the WNBA’s postseason mix. But Shapiro’s comments show that her case still carries political baggage. Her return to form is now shadowed by talk of diplomacy, media narratives, and justice.
For now, Brittney Griner remains focused on basketball. Coach Karl Smesko called her defensive presence “excellent” during her first game back, praising how she “controlled the paint.” Off-court critics can argue—but Griner is back on the court, doing what she said she came to do.
Atlanta Dream Coach Karl Smesko Praises Brittney Griner’s Return
Brittney Griner didn’t only grab headlines for a controversial trade—she grabbed a coach’s praise, too. Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko was full of compliments after Griner’s first preseason appearance. “I thought BG was great. She was moving great. She looked really good out there. Defensively, she was excellent. She was controlling the paint,” Smesko said, calling it a “really good first game back for her.”
This praise didn’t come lightly. Brittney Griner has endured a tumultuous few seasons—including a nine-month detention in Russia and a resurgent 2025 campaign under coach Smesko. She hit a three-pointer in her first preseason outing, showcasing her new shooting confidence—a key nod to the Dream’s updated offense.
Smesko’s comments highlight the Dream’s faith in Brittney Griner as both a leader and a defensive anchor. Despite her rough stretch, she’s quickly become the cornerstone of Atlanta’s rotation. And fans hoping to see her in playoff form will get that wish soon. With Smesko’s boost, the message is clear: Griner is back—and Dream fans have every reason to believe in her again.
For more sports content:
Follow us @HardwoodHeroics for your NBA and college basketball reading fix. You can reach out to Dan Agulto through email at papadanph@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news, click here!
Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
