LeBron James addresses Brittney Griner's detainment in new trailer for 'The Shop'

Originally Published: 12 JUL 22 14:27 ET

Updated: 13 JUL 22 18:45 ET

By Leah Asmelash, CNN

(CNN) -- c

In a trailer for a new episode of "The Shop: Uninterrupted," in which James chats about current events with guests in a setting mimicking a barbershop, James addressed the WNBA star's ongoing detainment in Russia.

"Now, how can she feel like America has her back?" James said, in the 30-second trailer released Tuesday. "I would be feeling like, 'Do I even want to go back to America?'"

The quote comes after comparisons between James and Griner went viral, when Griner's Phoenix Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard told reporters that if James were in the same situation, he would be home.

"If it was LeBron, he'd be home, right? It's a statement about the value of women. It's a statement about the value of a Black person. It's a statement about the value of a gay person. All of those. We know it," Nygaard said at the time.

James had not previously addressed the comparison.

After the trailer posted, James in a tweet clarified his remarks.

"My comments on "The Shop" regarding Brittney Griner wasn't knocking our beautiful country," James wrote. "I was simply saying how she's probably feeling emotionally along with so many other emotions, thoughts, etc inside that cage she's been in for over 100+ days! Long story short #BringHerHome."

The Lakers star followed that tweet with another, writing "#FreeBG."

Griner was first arrested at a Moscow airport in February, after Russian officials said they found cannabis oil in her luggage. Griner plays basketball in Russia during the WNBA offseason to supplement her income.

In a handwritten letter to President Joe Biden, Griner detailed her situation, asking the president to help her and other American detainees.

"(As) I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I'm terrified I might be here forever," she wrote, according to a statement released by the communications company representing the Griner family.

Last week, she pleaded guilty to the drug charges and now faces up to 10 years in prison. Her supporters have called for her release over fears she is being used as a political pawn during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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WNBA star Brittney Griner’s evolution | E:60

WNBA star Brittney Griner describes how she was bullied as a child and how basketball helped her cope with depression and open up to her mother about her sexuality. Griner’s talents on the basketball court took her to Baylor University, where she led the team to the 2012 national championship, and she was selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury. Griner also discusses her 2015 domestic violence arrest on suspicion of assault and disorderly conduct after an argument with fellow WNBA player Glory Johnson, her then-fiancée. Griner also details how she matured and grew as a person while playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian Premier League. ✔ Subscribe to ESPN on YouTube: http://es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoYOUTUBE ✔ Watch ESPN on YouTube TV: http://es.pn/YouTubeTV Get more ESPN on YouTube: ► First Take: http://es.pn/FirstTakeonYouTube ► SC6 with Michael & Jemele: http://es.pn/SC6onYouTube ► SportsCenter with SVP: http://es/pn/SVPonYouTube