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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert spoke about Brittney Griner’s hold on Sunday before the league’s annual All-Star Game.
Griner pleaded guilty in a Russian court on Thursday to drug charges. She was accused of possessing vape cartridges containing cannabis-derived oils through a Moscow airport.
She has been detained since February and has not appeared in public.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addresses the crowd during the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game on July 10, 2022 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. (Randy Bellis/NBAE via Getty Images)
“Obviously we’re thinking about Brittney Griner at this point,” Engelbert said in Chicago, via Reuters.
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“She remains a huge priority for us, she continues to have our full support, fully focused on getting her home safely and as soon as possible of course.”
Griner’s Russian legal team said Thursday that the WNBA superstar “decided to take full responsibility for her actions” when she pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Moscow court and hoped the sentence would not be harsh.
Griner faces a 10-year sentence.
A close-up of a patch on the court honoring Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury during the 2022 WNBA Skills Challenge as part of the 2022 WNBA All-Star Weekend on July 9, 2022 at McCormick Place in Chicago. (Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
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“Today BG pleaded guilty. This was her decision made after discussion with her legal defense team in Russia,” her legal team said. “Britney sets an example of courage. She decided to take full responsibility for her actions as she knows she is a role model for many people.
“Given the nature of her case, the minor amount of BG’s content and personality, and history of positive contributions to world and Russian sport, the defense hopes that the charge will be viewed by the court as mitigating and will not result in a harsh sentence.” “
WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner arrives for a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow on July 7, 2022 (Kyril Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)
Griner pleaded guilty a day after the Russian Foreign Ministry said during a news briefing that the WNBA star would have the opportunity to appeal her sentence or apply for clemency. The State Department also disputed US claims that she was wrongfully detained on February 17.
The White House confirmed Wednesday that President Biden has spoken with Greener’s wife and is actively “working to secure Britney’s release as soon as possible, as well as the release of Paul Whelan and other US citizens who are wrongfully detained or held hostage.” in Russia and around the world.”
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Before Griner pleaded guilty, her legal team said they expected Griner’s trial to wrap up around early August.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ryan Gaydos is a sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.
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