Here is a look at how information of her arrest has unfolded so far and what remains unknown.
Weekend brings word of arrest
A spokesperson for the State Department told CNN Saturday, “We are aware of reports of a US citizen arrested in Moscow. Whenever a US citizen is arrested overseas, we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular services.”
Organizations such as the WNBA, the Mercury and the WNBA players’ union shared their concerns for Griner and their hopes for her safety.
Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, said in a statement she and others knew of the arrest and confirmed that “as we work to get her home, her mental and physical health remain our primary concern.”
That night, Cherelle Griner, Brittney’s wife, posted on Instagram her appreciation for those who reached out in support.
“I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details. Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely,” she said.
When asked about Griner at a press conference Sunday in Moldova, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he could not share details due to privacy concerns but pointed to the State Department’s warning for Americans not to travel to Russia and for Americans there to leave the country.
The WNBA later confirmed that its other players had left Russia and Ukraine.
Momentum builds stateside to get Griner home
On Monday, the Russian Federal Customs Service confirmed the arrest of an American athlete in February yet did not identify the person by name nor the exact date of the arrest.
The customs service said the American was placed in pre-trial detention and noted a criminal case was opened for smuggling significant amounts of narcotic substances, and the offense carries a punishment of up to 10 years imprisonment.
Russian state-owned news channel Russia 24 reported a photo was taken by authorities of Griner at a police station holding a sign with her name on it.
As word filtered through in the US of Griner’s plight, legislators have pushed for the federal government to intervene where possible. The Biden administration is working on trying to get Griner out of Russia, members of the Congressional Black Caucus said after meeting with President Joe Biden Monday.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who represents Griner’s hometown of Houston, said she spoke of Griner during the meeting and noted there is a “need for her to be immediately released and for her to receive the help of the United States to demand and facilitate that release.”
Cherelle Griner shared Monday on Instagram her and others’ grief over the situation and the lack of information provided from overseas.
“We love you babe! People say ‘stay busy.’ Yet, there’s not a task in this world that could keep any of us from wondering if you are safe,” she said.
“My heart, our hearts, are all skipping beats everyday that goes by without hearing from you. I miss your voice. I miss your presence. You’re our person! There are no words to express this pain. I’m hurting, we’re hurting. We await the day to love on you as a family.”
Little clarity over what comes next
A member of the US House Armed Services Committee told CNN this week, “It’s going to be very difficult” to get Griner out of Russia.
“Our diplomatic relationships with Russia are nonexistent at the moment,” Rep. John Garamendi of California said.
“Perhaps during the various negotiations that may take place, she might be able to be one of the solutions. I don’t know.”
He also noted that “Russia has some very, very strict LGBT rules and laws” — though it’s not clear whether those rules and laws might impact Griner’s case.
Griner’s high school basketball coach, Debbie Jackson, told CNN she worries Griner’s case will be used for political purposes.
“My biggest fear is that … she will become a political pawn,” Jackson said.
CNN’s Lucy Kafanov, Paul P. Murphy, Holly Yan, Steve Almasy, Kelly McCleary, Allie Malloy, Wayne Sterling, Elizabeth Joseph, Valery Yegorov and Colin McCullough contributed to this report.