WNBA

In her first public statement since being freed from Russia, the two-time Olympic gold medalist says she'll play for her team, the Phoenix Mercury, when the season starts in May.

Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist whose monthslong imprisonment on drug charges brought unprecedented attention to the population of wrongful detainees.

The decision effectively sends Griner to serve out her nine-year term in a Russian prison colony, even as the U.S. and Russia appear set to reengage in talks for a possible prisoner swap.

In her first testimony under questioning from the prosecution, Griner said she received neither an explanation of her rights nor access to a lawyer.

The basketball star faces charges that could keep her in a Russian prison for up to 10 years, if she’s convicted.

Griner is “terrified I might be here forever,” according to excerpts of a handwritten letter to the president provided to media outlets by a family representative.

The Houston native was arrested in Russia in mid-February, and her trial starts Friday. State department officials say Griner was “wrongfully detained.”

The star with the U.S. Olympic and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury was bracketed by four security officers and a dog as she was led down a stairwell to a courtroom for Monday's hearing.

The two-time Olympian is now set to appear in court in Russia on July 2. She is being held in pretrial detention.

The U.S. government has declared that the Houston native, who has been in Russian custody since February, was wrongfully detained.

The lawyer for the 31-year-old athlete said Friday her pre-trial detention in Russia has been extended by one month. Griner faces a trial on drug possession charges in mid-June.

Griner was arrested after authorities reportedly found vape cartridges with hashish oil in her luggage. The shift in language indicates the U.S. will work more aggressively to secure her release.