As Brittney Griner's detention continues, star center 'continues to have our full support,' WNBA's Cathy Engelbert says before draft

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed her concern Monday about Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner, and said the league is doing all it can to «bring her home.»

Engelbert addressed the media before the league's draft in New York, and mentioned Griner — who was the league's No. 1 pick in 2013 — right away in her opening remarks. Griner was detained at a Moscow airport on Feb. 17 after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges allegedly containing oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Russian media reported last month that Griner's detention has been extended until at least May 19. The WNBA's 26th season begins May 6.

«This is an unimaginable situation for BG to be in,» Engelbert said. «She continues to have our full support. Certainly, we're trying everything we can, every angle, working with her legal representation, her agent, elected leaders, the administration. Just everybody in our ecosystem to try and find ways to get her home safely and as quickly as we can.»

Engelbert said the league would work with the Mercury in supporting Griner's philanthropic project, called BG's Heart and Sole Shoe Drive, this season. The drive has gathered new or gently used shoes for homeless people in the Phoenix area.

«That will take place in all 12 WNBA markets,» Engelbert said. «The activations we will do are intended to remind us of BG's spirit of giving, and do the work that she'd be doing if she were here, and the work she will join us in when she returns.»

Griner, 31, was the WNBA's top selection out of Baylor nine years ago and helped lead the Mercury to the league championship in 2014 and the WNBA Finals last season. She is also a two-time