Brittney Griner still seen as 'wrongfully detained' despite Russia trial, State Department spokesman says

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Brittney Griner’s verdict and sentence did not change anything regarding the WNBA superstar’s status as being "wrongfully detained," U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said Monday.

Price was asked about Griner and the potential of a prisoner swap with Russia, which may involve Viktor Bout and another American held in Russia, Paul Whelan.

"No element of this trial changes our judgment that Brittney Griner is being wrongfully detained and should be released immediately," Price said. "That is why we've put forward a number of weeks ago what we consider to be a serious, substantial proposal and an effort to seek her release, to seek the release of Paul Whelan as well.

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Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout (C) is escorted by policemen as he arrives for a hearing at the Criminal Court in Bangkok on August 20, 2010. (CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images)

"We are in communication with the Russians on this matter, and we encourage them to pursue this constructively."

Earlier Monday, lawyers for Griner appealed the nine-year sentence handed down to the Phoenix Mercury center for drug possession. She was convicted Aug. 4 after police said they found vape cartridges containing oils derived from cannabis in her luggage at a Moscow airport.

The 31-year-old was arrested in February in Russia. She was returning to her Russian basketball team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, after there was a pause in the season for international play. She has been held in the country ever since.

Griner apologized in court earlier this month.

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