Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the league is working diligently to help Brittney Griner return to the United States just moments before Rhyne Howard was selected first overall in the WNBA draft by Atlanta.

Since arriving at a Moscow airport in mid-February, Griner, one of the league’s greatest stars, has been held in Russia.

According to Russian police, a search of her luggage uncovered vape cartridges purportedly containing cannabis oil, which could result in a 10-year prison sentence.

“I want to take a moment to reiterate the WNBA’s support for Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner,” Engelbert said before the draft started. “Please know that getting her home safely continues to be our top priority and while we are facing an extraordinarily complex challenge, there is strength in community, especially the WNBA.”

The Mercury will spearhead a league-wide charitable campaign to promote Griner’s philanthropic project, BG’s Heart and Sole Shoe Drive, according to Engelbert. For the Phoenix area’s homeless, the drive collected new or gently used shoes.

“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.”

Howard, who grew up around 90 minutes from Atlanta and was the first Kentucky player to go No. 1 in the draft, will be close to home.

“For it to be so close is huge. A lot of family and close friends can come and support me,” Howard said. “To go first, I don’t have words for it right now. Still shaking. Super exciting and proud of myself and thankful for everyone that has been on this journey with me and helped me get here.”

With four first-round picks, Indiana selected Baylor’s NaLyssa Smith at No. 2 and her Bears teammate Queen Egbo at No. 10. Emily Engstler of Louisville was ranked No. 4 and Lexie Hull of Stanford was ranked No. 6.

“We have four top picks, so there is the opportunity for this team to grow tremendously,” Smith said.

Between Indiana’s top two picks, the Mystics selected Shakira Austin from Ole Miss third, and New York selected Oregon’s Nyara Sabally in the third round.

The WNBA season begins on May 6, and training camps will commence later this week.

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