Brittney Griner Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison: Stars React

Brittney Griner has been sentenced to 9 years in prison and fined 1 million rubles (around $16,500) after she was found guilty of drug possession and smuggling by a Russian court.

The devastating news halfway across the world was met with shock and disdain, as celebrities and public figures spoke out about the arrest and subsequent sentencing. President Joe Biden, WNBA and NBA commissioners Cathy Engelbert and Adam Silver, as well as a slew of celebrities -- from Justin Bieber, Kerry Washington and Mia Farrow -- all spoke out in support of the Olympic gold medalist and Baylor great.

Jada Pinkett Smith hardly had a minute to celebrate Breonna Taylor's family finally getting long overdue justice before news broke about Griner's sentencing. Pinkett Smith took to her Instagram Story and shared a photo of Griner and overlayed text that read, "On the same day where we finally got some Justice for Breonna …I find out that Brittney Griner just got 9 years in Russia." The text was followed by three heartbroken emojis and "#freebrittney."

Viola Davis also took to Instagram and posted a photo of Griner. Davis captioned it, "No words. 💔 #FreeBrittneyGriner."

Sherri Shepherd took to Twitter and wrote, "My heart breaks for Brittney Griner, her wife & her family! I need America to do all that it can to get this woman home immediately! End this nightmare! Free Brittney Griner! #BrittneyGriner."

Justin Bieber also took to his Instagram Story and posted a photo of ESPN's story. He captioned the post, "THIS HURTS. If anyone knows of anyway I can help please let me know.”

Jada Pinkett Smith — Jada PInkett Smith / Instagram

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by VIOLA DAVIS (@violadavis)

President Joe Biden released the following statement after a Russian court sentenced Brittney Griner to nine years in prison: pic.twitter.com/wxDCbaaQBe
— ESPN (@espn) August 4, 2022

My heart breaks for Brittney Griner, her wife & her family! I need America to do all that it can to get this woman home immediately! End this nightmare!

Free Brittney Griner! 🙏🏾 #BrittneyGriner pic.twitter.com/DoJNzGsGsN
— Sherri Shepherd (@sherrieshepherd) August 4, 2022

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement regarding Brittney Griner: pic.twitter.com/FMQZsHBDVv
— NBA (@NBA) August 4, 2022

This Brittney Griner situation isn’t sitting right with me. We can only do so much with Russia, but we HAVE to keep pressure on our home officials to do whatever they need to do to get her home!
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) August 4, 2022

The Russian judge ignored everything Britney Griner had stated. He sentenced her to 9 years in a ‘penal colony’. For carrying 2 vaping cartridges - medically prescribed. Damn. Heartbreaking.
— Mia Farrow🇺🇦 (@MiaFarrow) August 4, 2022

Dear President Biden: Free Brittney Griner but equally free all the men & women who should be free if marijuana laws in the US were retroactive. https://t.co/TA2OBzC0NS
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) August 4, 2022