By Evan Bleier U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner, convicted of drug possession and smuggling by a Russian court and sentenced to nine years behind bars in a penal colony for allegedly carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, now needs an assist from the American government to get home. She better get it. Griner, a Black lesbian WNBA player for the Phoenix Mercury,pleaded guilty to the charges levied against her in order to expedite a ruling in her case so that Washington and Moscow can figure out a deal to get her home. Though Russia has urged the U.S. not to discuss the matter pub…