Brittney Griner's former coaches and teammates as well as a host of elite athletes on Thursday celebrated the US basketball star's release from a Russian prison after 10 months of captivity.

Griner, arrested in February on drug charges, was traded for arms dealer Viktor Bout in a prisoner swap carried out at an airport in Abu Dhabi.

Supporters of the 32-year-old WNBA and Olympic superstar center expressed joy and relief.

"I was shocked. I cried. Honestly, I cried," said Dawn Staley, who coached Griner last year on the US team that won gold in Tokyo. "This is the moment we've all been praying for.

"My prayers will continue for her strength and her family's strength, that she can possibly get back to the Brittney Griner we have known her to be."

Griner is an eight-time WNBA All-Star and two-time scoring champion who sparked the Phoenix Mercury to the league title in 2014.

"Miraculously, mercifully, the count of days detained has ended at 294, and our friend, our sister is headed back home where she belongs," the Mercury and NBA Phoenix Suns said in a joint statement.

"The emotions for our organization, just like for our fans and so many across the world, are those of joyous celebration, deep gratitude, grief for the time lost, and sincere hope for all families still awaiting the return of a loved one.

"BG's strength in this process, her unwavering belief that resolution would come, and the hope she displayed every day is what kept all of us believing this day would come."

NBA stars Chris Paul, Trae Young, and Kyrie Irving were among those who tweeted their joy at Griner's release.

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"Thank you for exemplifying what a true Warrior looks like," Irving tweeted. "You're forever loved by so many unconditionally."

Brianna Turner, a teammate of Griner with the Mercury, tweeted: "BEST NEWS EVER. So happy for BG just in time for the holidays."