Dennis Rodman wants to help free 'that girl' from Russia: 'I know Putin too well'

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic
·2 min read
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, and former NBA star Dennis Rodman watch North Korean and U.S. players in an exhibition basketball game Thursday at an arena in Pyongyang, North Korea. Jason Mojica, VICE Media | Associated Press
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, and former NBA star Dennis Rodman watch North Korean and U.S. players in an exhibition basketball game Thursday at an arena in Pyongyang, North Korea. Jason Mojica, VICE Media | Associated Press

Former NBA player Dennis Rodman told a news outlet over the weekend that he is going to attempt to go to Russia this week to seek the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner.

"I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl," Rodman told NBC News. "I'm trying to go this week."

Griner was recently sentenced to nine years in prison on drug charges.

According to NBC News, Rodman "expressed confidence in his understanding of Russia's president," Vladimir Putin.

"I know Putin too well," he said.

More: Criticism of Brittney Griner's national anthem stance renewed after Russia drug sentencing

Dennis Rodman: 'I know Putin too well'

An NBC News story quoted a senior Biden administration official as saying Rodman was more likely to hurt than help Griner's status in Russia, should he travel there trying to help her get released.

“It’s public information that the administration has made a significant offer to the Russians and anything other than negotiating further through the established channel is likely to complicate and hinder release efforts,” the official told NBC News.

Rodman has a history of going to foreign countries and meeting with foreign leaders, having visited North Korea and leader Kim Jong Un on multiple occasions.

The former Chicago Bulls star said he helped secure the release of American Kenneth Bae from North Korea in 2014.

More: Brittney Griner sentence reaction: Phoenix Mercury teammate calls out hateful 'trolls'

WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner, center, is escorted into a courtroom prior to a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022.
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner, center, is escorted into a courtroom prior to a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022.

Last week, Griner's lawyers filed an appeal against her nine-year Russian prison sentence for drug possession, Russian news agencies reported.

Griner, a center for the Phoenix Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was convicted on Aug. 4. She was arrested in February at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport after vape canisters containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage.

Griner played for a women’s basketball team in Yekaterinburg during the WNBA off-season.

More: Brittney Griner photos from Russian prison a reminder to Arizona basketball fans, everyone

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Dennis Rodman help Brittney Griner in Russia?: 'I know Putin too well'