WNBA star Brittney Griner has returned home after spending nearly 10 months in a Russian prison following her arrest for bringing vape cartridges containing hashish oil through a Moscow airport. Griner was freed from a Russian penal colony earlier this month in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Griner’s return to the U.S. sparked emotional reactions from the basketball community, including Griner’s college coach. LSU head coach Kim Mulkey, who coached Griner at Baylor and won a national championship together in 2012, broke her silence on her former player.

“God is good. Prayers are powerful,” Mulkey told ESPN. “Brittney is on her way home where she belongs. Our prayers remain with her and her family as they recover and heal together.” Mulkey was asked about Griner’s detainment in September as she had yet to speak on the situation. “And you won’t,” Mulkey responded when a reporter said he had yet to see a comment on Griner from the LSU head coach.

Griner and Mulkey had a falling out in 2013 after Griner felt she was encouraged to keep quiet about her sexuality, according to ESPN. Griner pointed toward Baylor’s policies as to why she did not feel encouraged to speak on her sexuality and not toward Mulkey personally.

Griner was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow on Feb. 17 after Russian authorities said she had vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. Griner pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison.

Brittney Griner departed a military medical facility in Texas last Friday. She returned home to Arizona, vowing in an Instagram post to play in the WNBA this season as she took another step in her reintegration into American life after her detention in Russia.

“It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn,” she wrote in her post. “I dug deep to keep my faith, and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.

Griner, 32, said she was “grateful to each person who advocated for me” and thanked the staff at the Texas military facility she briefly called home. She also remembered another foreign prisoner in Russia whose release could not be secured in the prisoner swap that secured her freedom.

“President Biden, you brought me home, and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home, too,” she said. “I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you. I also encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole.”

As she boarded the plane, Griner was greeted by Phoenix Mercury GM Jim Pitman, team president Vince Kozar and teammate Diana Taurasi. They made a surprise appearance to welcome her home. Griner says she intends to play for the Phoenix Mercury this season.