Following the sentencing of WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine-years in Russian prison Thursday, people from across the sports world expressed sympathy for the Phoenix Mercury center and called for her release.

USA Basketball said in a statement that the organization is “disappointed at the outcome of the legal proceedings against Brittney Griner,” who has won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA.

“While we are not surprised given what we know of the process, we are hopeful that the formal proceedings will help create an avenue in which Brittney can ultimately be brought home,” the statement continued, adding that USA Basketball continues to support Griner and is engaged with the U.S. State Department.

“The bravery Brittney is demonstrating in the face of these unimaginable circumstances speaks to the person she is and the strength she possesses.”

❤️ BG pic.twitter.com/pCB21HjMXl

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 4, 2022

Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale, who issued a plea to the court for leniency Wednesday, called it “sickening.”

“Can’t just play with people’s lives like that,” she wrote.

Can’t just play with people’s lives like that. Sickening. Lord, cover Brittney & her family. FREE BG ‼️

— Arike Ogunbowale (@Arike_O) August 4, 2022

“We will not stop advocating for you release,” wrote South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley. “Hold on to God unchanging hand. We love you, BG!”

Some, like NBA star Isaiah Thomas, expressed disbelief at the length of the sentencing. NBA players Jaden Ivey and Bones Hyland calling out the conviction, with Hyland calling it “crazy.” Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams called out the need to “bring our sister and friend home.”

No way! 9 years? Bring our sister and friend home. #FREEBG

— Grant Williams (@Grant2Will) August 4, 2022

Mercury guard Diamond DeShields said that seeing Griner behind bars “is breaking my heart.” Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington said that she had “no words” and is “praying so hard for BG.”

Griner’s Phoenix teammate Skylar Diggins-Smith, meanwhile, expressed anger at the conviction, as did the Wings’ Isabelle Harrison.

Others including Kahleah Copper, A’ja Wilson, Swin Cash, Paige Bueckers and LaChina Robinson also issued appeals for Griner’s release and support following the conviction.

President Joe Biden issued a statement Thursday, calling the sentencing “unacceptable” and reiterating the Griner is being wrongfully detained.

Erica Wheeler, who plays for the Atlanta Dream, said that today “hit a little different.”

“I can’t even imagine how her family feels! I pray God is protecting her mental but more importantly keep fighting BG,” she wrote.

My heart goes out to BG’s family and her wife! ❤️ Today hit a little different man like that’s our sister! I can’t even imagine how her family feels! I pray God is protecting her mental but more importantly keep fighting BG.
…gotta bring you home!

— Erica Wheeler (@EWeezy_For3eezy) August 4, 2022

New York Liberty center Stefanie Dolson issued love for BG and expressed disbelief.

Former NBA star and current Phoenix Suns color commentator Eddie Johnson called it “another example of the unequal treatment of humans in this world.”

“You have criminals walking around who hurt others and she gets 9 years for them accusing her of hurting herself! History repeats itself again for political gain!” he wrote. “Prayers for Brittney she is a wonderful person!”

Another example of the unequal treatment of humans in this world! You have criminals walking around who hurt others and she gets 9 years for them accusing her of hurting herself! History repeats itself again for political gain! 🙏🏿 for Brittney she is a wonderful person! https://t.co/yjPfwkR7kk

— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) August 4, 2022

US runner Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has done it again, winning the Women's World Athlete of the Year for the second time at the 2025 World Athletics Awards on Sunday.

In a pivot from her historic 400-meter hurdles dominance, McLaughlin-Levrone chose to master its flat counterpart this year, racing to an undefeated season in the 400-meter flat event in 2025.

"For me, 2025 was a year of stepping outside of the comfort zone and pushing the bounds of what was mentally and physically possible," the four-time US Olympic gold medalist said in a Sunday press release. "I want to continue pushing boundaries in 2026."

Already a winner of the 2018 World Athletics Rising Star Award, McLaughlin-Levrone snagged her first Women's World Athlete of the Year honor in 2022 following a first-ever individual world title in her signature 400-meter hurdles.

This year, the 26-year-old claimed a second individual world trophy in record-breaking fashion, winning the 400-meter with a Championships and North American record-shattering time of 47.78 seconds — the second-fastest of all time — at September's 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

The victory cemented her as the first athlete to claim world titles in both the 400-meter hurdles and 400-meter flat, ultimately earning her Sunday's World Athlete of the Year honor.

"The culmination of the season in Tokyo was a really special moment. I'm so thankful for everyone who supported, watched, voted, and who was there throughout this whole process," McLaughlin-Levrone added.

The  world No. 2 USWNT ended 2025 with a bang on Monday night, shutting out No. 12 Italy yet again behind first-half goals from young stars Catarina Macario and Jaedyn Shaw.

Macario's masterful 20th-minute chip shot continued a scoring tear for the 26-year-old, marking her fifth US goal in the last three matches while bringing her 2025 tally to a team-leading eight.

"[I'm] finally finding some consistency," Macario said after Monday's 2-0 win, commenting on her history of lingering knee injuries. "Considering everything that I've been through for the past three years, that is definitely the thing I'm most proud of."

Shaw then capped the match's scoring in the 41st minute, when the 21-year-old blasted a bullet from the top of the box to double the US lead.

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The USWNT officially ends 2025 with 12 wins, three losses, and zero draws, tying the team record for most home defeats in a calendar year while shaking up the player pool and honing their style of play.

"I watched the product in the last two games, and I'm like '[Italy] was a team that nearly made the [2025] Euro final,'" USWNT manager Emma Hayes said postmatch. "We've got patience, we could control the game in the right moments, we can attack in a variety of different ways…for me the pride is in all of it."

"It's what we're striving for every game," said 19-year-old midfielder Claire Hutton, one of three teenagers to start Monday's friendly. "We want to put more goals up — two isn't enough for us — but if we can end in a shutout and with a win, it puts us on the front foot going into January."

How to watch the USWNT in 2026

After a brief break, the USWNT will return to action with a pair of friendlies next month, kicking off their 2026 campaign against No. 41 Paraguay on Saturday, January 24th, before taking on a still-unknown opponent on Tuesday, January 27th.

The US's first match of 2026 will kick off at 5:30 PM ET, airing live on TNT and HBO Max.

The USWNT is eyeing another 2025 victory, with US Soccer announcing the finalists for the federation's end-of-year awards on Monday, including the five women nominated for US Soccer Female Player of the Year.

After stellar runs for both club and country, Arsenal defender Emily Fox, Portland Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey, Gotham FC midfielder Rose Lavelle, and Chelsea FC forwards Alyssa Thompson and Catarina Macario headline the 2025 shortlist.

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The youth national teams' Young Female Player of the Year award also tapped top finalists in Angel City forward Riley Tiernan, Chicago Stars forward Micayla Johnson, Seattle Reign defender Jordyn Bugg, Gotham FC defender Lilly Reale, and University of Virginia freshman defender Pearl Cecil.

The USWNT also earned a Game of the Year nomination, with US Soccer recognizing the team's dominant 3-0 victory over North American rival Canada in July.

While national team play is paramount in determining the honorees, club performances also factor into the awards, with several Player of the Year nominees significantly adding to their resumes away from the international pitch in 2025.

In May, Fox helped Arsenal to the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League title and Macario lifted the WSL trophy with Chelsea, while Gotham stars Lavelle and Reale finished their NWSL season as league champions late last month — with Reale also taking home the 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year trophy.

How to vote for the 2025 US Soccer Player of the Year Awards

Players, coaches, media, the US Soccer board, and fans will determine the ultimate winners, with fan picks making up 15% of the final tally.

Fans can submit their votes online now through Friday, December 12th, with US Soccer slated to announce the winners in January.

Monday's AP Top 25 women's college basketball poll has a new No. 2, as Texas jumped two spots up the ladder after taking down then-No. 2 South Carolina and then-No. 3 UCLA at last week's Players Era Championship in Las Vegas.

With the Longhorns knocking off two Top 3 programs in the shortest time frame in 25 years, the 32-member media panel rewarded Texas with 10 first-place votes on Monday.

Despite their losses, the No. 3 Gamecocks and No. 4 Bruins fell just one spot each, with UCLA bouncing back against then-No. 14 Tennessee on Sunday — a 99-77 victory that sent the Vols tumbling five spots to No. 19 in the week's biggest rankings drop.

Meanwhile, Nos. 5 through 10 held steady this week, as No. 5 LSU, No. 6 Michigan, No. 7 Maryland, No. 8 TCU, No. 9 Oklahoma, and No. 10 Iowa State all managed to avoid upsets.

The Big Ten and SEC are now neck-and-neck atop NCAA basketball, with both conferences featuring eight Top 25 teams after a narrow win over No. 25 West Virginia last Wednesday saw No. 23 Ohio State enter the AP Poll for the first time this season.

How to watch Top 25 NCAA basketball this week

The ranked action will continue with a trio of Top 25 matchups on the second day of the annual ACC/SEC Challenge on Thursday.

First at 7 PM ET, No. 11 UNC will visit No. 2 Texas on ESPN2 while No. 3 South Carolina faces No. 22 Louisville on ESPN.

No. 18 Notre Dame will close out the night against No. 13 Ole Miss at 9 PM ET, airing live on ESPN2.

2025/26 AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll: Week 5

1. UConn (7-0, Big East)
2. Texas (8-0, SEC)
3. South Carolina (7-1, SEC)
4. UCLA (8-1, Big Ten)
5. LSU (8-0, SEC)
6. Michigan (6-1, Big Ten)
7. Maryland (9-0, Big Ten)
8. TCU (8-0, Big 12)
9. Oklahoma (7-1, SEC)
10. Iowa State (9-0, Big 12)
11. UNC (8-1, ACC)
12. Iowa (8-0, Big Ten)
13. Ole Miss (7-0, SEC)
14. Baylor (7-1, Big 12)
15. Vanderbilt (8-0, SEC)
16. USC (5-2, Big Ten)
17. Kentucky (8-1, SEC)
18. Notre Dame (5-1, ACC)
19. Tennessee (5-2, SEC)
20. Michigan State (8-0, Big Ten)
21. Washington (8-0, Big Ten)
22. Louisville (7-2, ACC)
23. Ohio State (6-1, Big Ten)
24. Oklahoma State (8-1, Big 12)
25. West Virginia (6-2, Big 12)