On Thursday, WNBA star Brittney Griner,31, submitted an admission of guilt before a Russian court. In the US her teammates and fans are chanting “We are BG.”

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, pleaded guilty to a drug-smuggling charge after months of being held in Russian detention. She is facing drug possession charges that could come with a sentence of up to 10 years.

Griner was arrested at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in February. She was returning for another season to play basketball in Russia. Police claimed they discovered vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage.

Her detention came just before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. And there have been 2 extensions.

Last week, President Biden called Griner’s wife Cherelle to reassure her that he is working to secure Brittney’s release. Biden was responding to Cherelle’s attempts to meet with him. And a letter from Brittney in which she said she was afraid she’d never return home.

The White House claims that Griner “is wrongfully detained in Russia under intolerable circumstances.” And insist that President Joe Biden will “(pursue) every avenue to bring Brittney home.”

We are BG

At the same time, Griner was appearing in court her friend, Megan Rapinoe, was in Washington DC. Olympic champion and NWSL soccer star, Rapinoe, was receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. 

Rapinoe had the initial’s BG and a rose stitched on her jacket for the occasion. Her fiance, the basketball star Sue Bird, was wearing a “WE ARE BG” pin. 

Last month there was a large Free Brittney rally in Houston. And BG will be front-and-center at Sunday’s WNBA All-Star game.

Griner is an honorary starter for her eighth All-Star selection. And she will be notably absent and missed by her fans and friends.

“Obviously she’s part of our family and our No. 1 priority is getting her home,” All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale said. “She shouldn’t be there. She’s been there too long. So obviously we’re going to talk about her any chance we get.”

“We talk about ‘We are BG’ and what that means to us,” All-Star guard Skylar Diggins-Smith explains. “Just trying to embody her spirit, carry her legacy on, and just stay alert for her as far as what we can do in our efforts to help bring her home and really get that message out there.”

Admission of guilt doesn’t mean she’s guilty

A Russian law expert says that an admission of guilt is not the same as a guilty plea in the US.

Speaking through an interpreter, Griner told the court "I'd like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn't want to break the law.” 

She is claiming she had packed in a hurry. The trial was then adjourned.

Griner’s guilty plea is believed to be used by her advisers to expedite the court proceedings. And as a strategy by attorneys.

Under current Russian law, there is a 99% conviction rate.

Deborah Jackson recruited Griner when she was still in high school. And coached the All American till she signed to play at Baylor University.

“In my opinion, I think her legal team advised her to plead guilty because she was going to be found guilty no matter what she pleaded,” Jackson says.

“It frustrates me that she’s caught in this almost unwinnable situation. I don’t believe that she had the drug paraphernalia — I think it was planted, myself. Brittney is an intelligent young lady.” 

 Jackson emphasized that Griner has been playing for many years in Russia during the WNBA off-seasons. 

“She’s not stupid. I can’t see her or any seasoned athlete, professional athlete, putting drug paraphernalia in their carry-on bag. I don’t think she could have got past the Newark airport security on her way to Russia,” Jackson added.