James Franks/Cronkite News

Brittney Griner

Months in detention in Russia could become a decade in prison for WNBA star Brittney Griner, if she’s convicted of trying to bring marijuana into the country.

The Biden administration says Griner has been wrongfully detained.

In an interview with ESPN, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was asked about the league’s role and responsibility to help bring Griner home.

“Cathy Engelbert, the commissioner of the WNBA, is on this issue every single day. I’m working side by side with her. We’ve been in touch with the White House, the State Department, hostage negotiators at every level of government,” he said.

Silver also said the choice to not mount a high-profile pressure campaign for Russia to release Griner was based partly on advice from experts.