'We Cannot Stop': Stephen Curry Halts ESPYS for Message on Baylor Ex Brittney Griner
Fresh off winning his fourth championship ring in June with the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry was announced as host of the 30th annual ESPYS. He got to crack jokes and present awards to the biggest athletes in sports at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles Wednesday night, as the event was underway.
But in the midst of a night usually full of celebration, Curry halted the festivities to use his platform to shine attention on the hopeful release of former Baylor Bears center and Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner, who remains locked away on the other side of the world in a Russian cell.
Curry was joined by WNBA stars Skylar Diggins-Smith - Griner's teammate on the Mercury - and Nneka Ogwumike, as the trio stood side by side to use one of sports biggest stages to relay the simple, but powerful message of continuing the fight to bring Griner home.
"We cannot stop fighting for her," Curry said. "We cannot stop believing for her. And we will not stop hoping for the day when we can welcome her home safely."
Griner, 31, was arrested on Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport for allegedly possessing cannabis oil, an offense that can net up to 10 years in a Russian federal prison. The Phoenix star center was training in the country during the WNBA's offseason and was set to make her way back to the states prior to her detainment.
"It's been 153 nights now that BG has been wrongfully detained thousands of miles away from home," Diggins-Smith said. "Away from her family. Away from her friends. Away from her team. All throughout that time, we've kept her in our thoughts and in our hearts, even though we know that ain't nearly enough to bring her home."
Despite being one of the most decorated female basketball players in history, Griner's two WNBA counterparts wanted everyone to remember that she is also "a human being whose predicament commands our attention."
"I'd like to plead guilty, your honor," Griner said to a Russian court on July 7, per ESPN. "But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law."
Griner's guilty plea also included an ask for mercy from the judge, with Griner claiming that, while she did commit the crime, she did so inadvertently.
The former Baylor star was the No. 1 overall pick in 2013. As a WNBA Champion, eight-time All-Star, and Olympic gold medalist, she's started all 254 games in her WNBA career while averaging 17.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.8 blocks on 56 percent shooting.
In four seasons in Waco, Griner's performance made her become one of the best college basketball players of all time. She led Baylor to an overall record of 106-5 during her final three years, which included a 40-0 finish in 2011-12. She averaged 22 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and an astounding 5.1 blocks per game during her collegiate career.
Her next court date is scheduled for this Tuesday.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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