{O/C} {Turning overseas}
The worst is intimidating American basketball star Brittney Griner after being convicted in Russia of drug possession and smuggling that culminated in a nine-year prison sentence.
This beckons the possibility of a make-or-break U.S.-Russia prisoner swap.
{Take SOT}
{Upsound 00:00 - 00:02}
31-year-old Griner was brought to court in shackles, crushed by the 9-year prison sentence, just short of the maximum 10-year sentence, for possessing and smuggling drugs.
{Soundbite}
BRITTNEY GRINER, WNBA Basketball Star:
I pled guilty to my charges. But I had no intent to break any Russian laws. I made an honest mistake. And I hope that in your ruling it doesn't end my life here.
{VO}
Then, she owned up to the ignominy emotionally.
{Soundbite}
I want to apologise to my teammates, my club, the fans, and the city of Yekat (Yekaterinburg) for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I brought on the team.
{VO}
The two-time U.S. Olympic champion was taken into custody in February after carrying less than a gram of cannabis oil as well as vape cartridges into Moscow.
Her lawyers have vowed to appeal, saying the court flouted Russian law.
That may well serve as the impetus for a high-stakes prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia -- trading Russian Viktor Bout for Griner and Paul Whelan, a jailed American businessman in Russia.
Russia also proposes to add Vadim Krasikov, a Russian spy jailed in Germany, to the prisoner swap.
In an official statement, President Joe Biden called Griner "wrongfully detained" and his administration concurred.
{Soundbite}
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, White House Press Secretary:
Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney.
We have repeatedly called for Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.
{VO}
A sentiment echoed by WNBA.
{Soundbite}
TERRI JACKSON, WNBA Players Association Executive Director:
We're counting on you (Secretary of State Antony Blinken) to have that conversation and begin to put these wheels in motion.
{VO}
Griner's fellow players held a solemn 42-second moment of silence -- a nod to her jersey number with the Phoenix Mercury.
{Upsound 02:06 - 02:07}
Then, the Connecticut Sun vanquished the Mercury, 77-64.
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