Brittney Griner is heading home to American soil after a one-for-one prisoner-swap deal with Russia.
FOX 26 Reporter Natalie Hee spoke with Griner's former high school coach following the news of her release from a Russian prison. The reactions are pouring in from people across the country including her loved ones here in her hometown of"I never lost hope and I would try to try just to send thought waves to Brittney. Don't give up. Don't give up.
"I'd love to give her a great big bear hug and just tell her I love her. I'm so proud of her for staying strong. It's the best Christmas present I could ask for," Jackson said. Jackson is the one who recruited Griner to play basketball her freshman year of high school. Griner went on to play basketball for Baylor University and eventually became a WNBA star with the Phoenix Mercury and a two-time Olympian.
The prisoner swap was highly scrutinized Thursday, as it left U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was convicted on espionage charges, in Russian custody.
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