State Dept: Update on WBNA star Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia

A U.S. official who granted access to jailed WNBA player Brittney Griner found her in “good condition,” the State Department said Wednesday.

The State Department confirmed Wednesday that an official at the US Embassy in Moscow was granted access to the seven-time WNBA All-Star.

“We have been able to verify her condition, we will continue to work very closely with her legal team and her wider network to ensure she is treated fairly,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price told CNN.

State Department spokesman Ned Price provides an update on basketball star Brittney Griner, who remains in detention in Russia on drug smuggling charges.

“Our officer has determined that Brittney Griner is in good health and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure she is treated fairly during this ordeal,” Price added.

The US recently stepped up pressure for consular access to Griner, who has won two Olympic gold medals. Over the past seven years, she has made dozens of trips to Russia, where she plays professionally during the WNBA offseason.

RELATED: US State Department Demands Russia Access Jailed WNBA Star Brittney Griner

“We are closely involved in this case and are in frequent contact with Brittney Griner’s legal team,” the State Department said in a statement Friday. “We insist that the Russian government grant consular access to all US citizens detained in Russia, including those in pre-trial detention like Brittney Griner.”

The Russian news agency Tass recently reported that a Moscow court extended her detention until May 19.

RELATED: Nervous about traveling with a weed vape? Here’s what you should know

A growing contingent of family, friends, and officials, including Hillary Clinton, are calling for Griner’s safe return.

“She’s an amazing person, a role model, a champion and she doesn’t deserve what’s happening right now,” Griner’s friend and basketball legend Nancy Lieberman told WBNS.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.