(CNN)After spending nearly 10 months imprisoned in Russia, WNBA star Brittney Griner is making her return to basketball in the upcoming season, signing a one-year deal with the Phoenix Mercury, the team announced on Tuesday.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist was released in December -- after spending nearly 300 days in Russian custody -- in a prisoner exchange with Russia.
And as soon as she was back home, she vowed to play in the WNBA again.
"It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn," she wrote in a December post on Instagram. "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.
"I also want to make one thing very clear: I intend to play basketball for th