Griner was arrested in February when Russian customs officials said they had found e-cigarettes with cannabis oil in her luggage.
She has since been imprisoned and risks up to ten years in prison if convicted.
Last week, Griner pleaded guilty.
She admitted to the court that she had the capsules, but said she had no criminal intent and said they were in her luggage because she packed quickly. She was expected to testify on Thursday in court in the Moscow suburb of Chimki, where the airport is located, but it did not happen.
The club shows up
In Russia’s legal system, a trial does not end automatically after someone has confessed to the crime.
Most journalists were denied access to Thursday’s trial, but the UMMC Yekaterinburg coach, who Griner plays for when the WNBA is not in season, said he testified as a character witness.
Club director Maxim Rybakov also spoke.
– Our task today was to tell the court about her qualities as an athlete, as a person – tell about how she played a big role in the success of the club Yekaterinburg and the Russian women’s basketball as a whole, he told reporters outside the court, according to the news agency AP.
– Today is the first day we have seen our basketball player since February. Thank God, she is fine, and looks to be in good condition, Rybakov continued.
“We miss her”
The trial continues July 15.
– I can say that Brittney has always been a very good teammate, so my role here is just to be with her, to support her. We miss her very much, we miss her energy. I was very happy to see her, and I hope that this trial will be over soon and with a positive result, said teammate Evgenia Beljakova, who also testified on behalf of Griner.