Brittney Griner

Griner was traded for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. The swap did not include former Marine Paul Whelan who remains imprisoned in Russia on espionage charges the U.S. says are false.

Griner, 31, is "a bit worried" because of the trial and the potential of a prison sentence, her lawyer tells NPR, "but she's a tough lady and I think she will manage."

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.

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.

Russian authorities said earlier this month that they detained Griner at a Moscow-area airport for allegedly transporting vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage.

Many WNBA players head overseas to play during the off-season, where they can be paid much more than they earn in the U.S. Griner, who was arrested for allegedly transporting drugs, is one of them.