Brittney Griner was given a standing ovation at the NAACP Image Awards before imploring everyone to 'keep fighting' to ensure all Americans detained overseas are brought home.
Griner and wife Cherelle took to the stage at Saturday night's awards, honoring entertainers, athletes and writers of color, hosted by Queen Latifah.
Former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade and tennis champion Serena Williams were among the celebrities who gave the pair a standing ovation.
'It feels so good to be here, especially with my beautiful, amazing wife and with all of y'all here today,' Griner said.
'I want to thank everyone and let's keep fighting to bring home every American still detained overseas.'
Griner's wife praised 'black women and black-led organizations' for helping free the WNBA star.
'We are just truly so thankful to all the people, many of whom are black women and black-led organizations, who fought so hard to bring BG home, tonight.'
Griner has been enjoying something of a public tour of late, appearing at this month's Super Bowl in Arizona.
Since, she has also signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Mercury - the last WNBA team she played for prior to being detained in Russia.
Griner was held in Russia for a 10-month period. She was released from a penal colony on December 8 after President Biden sanctioned an exchange, giving convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout back to Russia.
Griner, who had played professionally in Russia since 2014, was returning to the country last February when she was stopped at the Moscow airport with what authorities claimed to be vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.
Ultimately Griner was convicted in August and sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison. A subsequent appeal was denied in October.
She had been assigned to a penal colony in Mordovia, a region known for its brutal prison system, until the Biden administration was able to secure her release. She was detained in Russia for 10 months.
The 6-foot-9 Griner is an eight-time All-Star in the US and one of only 11 players to win an Olympic gold medal, FIBA World Cup gold medal, WNBA title, and an NCAA title, which she captured at Baylor in 2012.
