NBA legend Dennis Rodman reported Saturday he "acquired authorization" to go to Russia to look for the launch of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to nine several years in jail on drug expenses.

The Basketball Hall of Famer, who was at a sneaker convention in Washington about the weekend, advised NBC News he was looking to head in excess of to Moscow at some stage this 7 days.

"I received authorization to go to Russia to help that woman. I'm making an attempt to go this 7 days," he instructed the outlet, including he understood Russian President Vladimir Putin "too nicely."

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Brittney Griner is escorted from a courtroom just after a listening to in Khimki, just exterior Moscow, Russia, Aug. 4, 2022. (WHD Photograph/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The U.S. Condition Department did not straight away respond to WHD News Digital’s ask for for remark about Rodman’s statements.

The Condition Office has issued a travel advisory for People in america, warning them not to travel to Russia.

"Do not travel to Russia thanks to the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russian military services forces, the possible for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian governing administration protection officers, the singling out of U.S. citizens in Russia by Russian government protection officers including for detention, the arbitrary enforcement of community legislation, confined flights into and out of Russia, the Embassy’s constrained skill to aid U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19-related limits, and terrorism," the warning reads. "U.S. citizens residing or touring in Russia should really depart Russia immediately.  Physical exercise elevated caution owing to wrongful detentions."

BRITTNEY GRINER APPEALS 9-12 months SENTENCE IN RUSSIA DRUG Scenario: REPORT

Dennis Rodman is launched as section of the NBA 75th anniversary group in the course of the All-Star Activity at Rocket Home finance loan Fieldhouse on Feb. 20, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Pictures)

Condition Department spokesman Ned Selling price reported very last week the agency even now labeled Griner as being "wrongfully detained." He was questioned about Griner and the opportunity of a prisoner swap with Russia, which could entail Viktor Bout and a further American held in Russia, Paul Whelan.

"No component of this demo alterations our judgment that Brittney Griner is being wrongfully detained and really should be produced promptly," Selling price claimed. "That is why we have put ahead a amount of months in the past what we consider to be a serious, significant proposal and an hard work to find her release, to find the launch of Paul Whelan as properly.

"We are in conversation with the Russians on this issue, and we stimulate them to pursue this constructively."

Griner’s legal professionals in Russia appealed her conviction. She was arrested for bringing vape cartridges that contains oils derived from cannabis by way of a Moscow airport in February. She was convicted and obtained her sentence on Aug. 4.

Rodman has a historical past of interacting with globe leaders.

North Korea chief Kim Jong Un watches a basketball match among former NBA gamers and North Koreans with Dennis Rodman at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium in this undated image introduced by Korean Central News Company (KCNA), Jan. 9, 2014. (Reuters/KCNA )

Rodman achieved with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un in 2013 and was amid the to start with People in america to fulfill him. The previous Chicago Bulls star resolved a letter to Kim in January 2014 and about 10 months later on captured American Kenneth Bae was introduced, according to TMZ Sports. Rodman experienced appeared in the nation a handful of situations because Bae’s release.

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In 2014, Rodman described Putin as "amazing" in an job interview on FOX Enterprise. He reported he wasn’t talking about Putin’s politics. He claimed Putin shook his hand and still left during his conversation with him in a excursion to Russia.