The star with the U.S. Olympic and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury was bracketed by four security officers and a dog as she was led down a stairwell to a courtroom for Monday's hearing.
Bird has played with the Seattle Storm since being drafted by the team in 2002. On Thursday, she announced that the current WNBA season, her 19th playing, will be her last.
Griner was arrested after authorities reportedly found vape cartridges with hashish oil in her luggage. The shift in language indicates the U.S. will work more aggressively to secure her release.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said consular officials were granted access to the basketball star on Wednesday. He added that she is in good condition.
Media coverage of Griner's arrest on alleged drug charges in Russia has remained somewhat muted. Some say it's because of her skin color, but others say it's part of a bigger strategy to get her home.
The Chicago Sky rallied from behind to beat the Phoenix Mercury and bring home the city's first-ever WNBA title. They're being celebrated by their hometown, including former President Barack Obama.
The U.S. women have not lost a game at the Olympics since the 1992 Games in Barcelona, a remarkable stretch of 55 straight victories and seven gold medals.
The new three-member investor group which purchased the team includes former Dream player Renee Montgomery, making her the first retired player to have become both a co-owner and a WNBA executive.
Sen. Kelly Loeffler and the WNBA fight heat up after players wore jerseys endorsing Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat challenging Loeffler in the November special election.
Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., wants Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard investigated for "egregious abuse of power." Collins is running for a U.S. Senate seat in the fall.
Fans of women's sports are learning female players can hit just as hard with words as they do with their athletic pursuits. The latest target is Sen....
