NBA, WNBA call Brittney Griner's sentencing 'unjustified and unfortunate,' sports world reacts

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The WNBA and the NBA called for the release of Brittney Griner after the two-time Olympic gold medalist was found guilty of drug charges and sentenced to nine years in prison on Thursday.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert and NBA commissioner Adam Silver maintained in a joint statement shortly after the news of Griner’s sentencing broke that she was "wrongly detained," echoing the sentiment of the White House on Thursday, 

WNBA basketball player Brittney Griner, who was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport and later charged with illegal possession of cannabis, waits for the verdict inside a defendants' cage during a hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, on August 4, 2022.  (EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"Today’s verdict and sentencing is unjustified and unfortunate, but not unexpected and Brittney Griner remains wrongly detained," the statement read. "The WNBA and NBA’s commitment to her safe return has not wavered and it is our hope that we are near the end of this process of finally bringing BG home to the United States." 

President Biden issued a statement earlier calling the trial and subsequent sentence "unacceptable." 

WNBA COACH BECKY HAMMON CALLS ON RUSSIA TO 'DO THE RIGHT THING' AHEAD OF BRITTNEY GRINER SENTENCING

"Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney," Biden said in a statement. 

"It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.  My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible