WNBA star Brittney Griner spoke out for the first time since returning to the U.S. nearly 10 months after she was arrested and sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison for drug smuggling, vowing that she will return to the court to play this upcoming season.

Griner posted a lengthy statement to her Instagram on Friday, when she thanked a number of people including the WNBA, the Biden administration and her family for advocating for her safe return home.

"It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn. 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," she wrote in the post.