While Ms. Griner was arrested one week before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Russian authorities did not reveal her detention until days after the war began, raising fears she could be used as a bargaining chip in the overall crisis.
The U.S. State Department has said that it had determined Ms. Griner was “wrongfully detained,” signaling its intention to get more actively involved in the situation.
Russia’s release of Trevor R. Reed, an ailing former American Marine who had been sentenced to nine years in prison for assault, at the end of April in a prisoner swap with the United States raised hopes that Ms. Griner might follow suit.
It is typical of Russian courts to extend detention until trial, which then can take weeks to complete. Mr. Reed’s release, for instance, happened after he was convicted and had spent years in a Russian prison.
Ms. Griner’s team and family have been relatively quiet about her situation.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist, Ms. Griner was one of several American players who compete for international teams in the off-season period to supplement their W.N.B.A. paychecks. She has played for the UMMC team in Yekaterinburg, Russia, since 2014.