Angel McCoughtry Says She Wouldn’t Play Ball In Russia After Griner Saga

WNBA super star Angel McCoughtry, who invested 3 seasons in Russia playing basketball, states she will NOT hoop in Russia any longer … after Brittney Griner was cooped in a cell for almost 10 months, and was just released after a prominent detainee swap.

McCoughtry signed up with Babcock on the “TMZ Sports” television program (airs weekdays on FS1) … and assessed the release of 32-year-old Griner, Angel’s pal and previous Group U.S.A. Olympic colleague in 2016 (they won gold).

“Oh my gosh, today is a celebration. Brittney is back, she’s on solid ground,” Angel informed us, elated … including, “Knowing Brittney, she’s a big teddy bear. Her personality is so bubbly. I couldn’t imagine the conditions she’s gone through.”

Obviously, in August, Brittney was sentenced to 9 years in a jail labor camp after a Russian court convicted her of bringing hash oil into the nation. That was till Thursday, when she was released in a prisoner swap for infamous arms dealership, Viktor Bout, likewise called the “Merchant of Death.”

Discussing the conditions in Russia, Angel explained her experience … and she clearly wasn’t under arrest or in a cell, and it was still challenging.

“I couldn’t imagine the conditions she’s gone through. I played in Russia for three years, and that was probably one of the hardest places I had to play.”

“It was hard to make friends. People are introverted because of the weather. The sun doesn’t come out. So, it’s already kind of depressing being there, playing there. But, to be in that kind of environment, I’m so glad she’s back. What an amazing feeling to wake up to that.”

McCoughtry, the previous #1 total choice in the 2009 WNBA Draft, 2x WNBA scoring champ, and 5x All-Star, simply among others distinctions, invested 2 stints with Eager beaver Kursk of the Russian Best League.

Lots of gamers take a trip overseas throughout the WNBA off-season due to the fact that they can make substantially more cash than they perform in America … though the future is now unpredictable.

“I mean, it’s tough on us cause Russia was one of the places where we made the most money. I was making my WNBA salary in one month in Russia. My whole salary. I think girls are gonna go elsewhere and play, probably.”

“We still have Spain and Istanbul, Turkey, different places, but, it definitely takes a toll on our game cause Russia, that was a place that had a lot of money for women to play, so it definitely hurts our game.”

When It Comes To whether Angel would ever return to Russia … we asked the concern with an apparent response.

“No, I would not go back. I would not go back.”

McCoughtry likewise discusses Griner’s potential go back to expert basketball in the States, when she prepares to connect to BG, and a lot more.