US Basketball Star Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty To Drug Charges In Russia

American basketball star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty Thursday to drug charges in a Russian court, according to the TASS news agency.

"Ms. Griner pleads guilty, she claims that she did not have the intent to carry luggage with drugs, there was no intent to commit a crime," Griner's interpreter said in court near Moscow in Khimki.

Griner, 31, has another appearance in court for an additional hearing July 14.

The star center was detained Feb. 17 at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport after hashish oil was found in her luggage.

Griner won the 2014 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) title with the Phoenix Mercury and helped Ekaterinburg win four EuroLeague titles and seven Russian League trophies.

As part of the US national basketball team, Griner clinched the 2014 World Championship in Türkiye, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the 2018 World Championship in Spain and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. -