Brittney Griner is expected to testify on Wednesday in a Russian court more than five months after she was detained in the country and after the WNBA star's legal team requested more time for her to prepare.
Griner, a 31-year-old Houston native who plays professional basketball for the Phoenix Mercury, was detained on Feb. 17 at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Khimki as she returned to Russia to play during the WNBA's offseason after she was accused of having vape cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in the country.
If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison and also has a right to an appeal.
Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges in court earlier this month, saying that the vape cartridges containing hashish oil were in her luggage mistakenly. She said she had no "intention" of breaking Russian law and did not mean to leave the cartridges in her bag.
Earlier this month, one of Griner's attorneys presented a letter from an American doctor in court, giving her permission to use cannabis to reduce chronic pain.
MORE: Brittney Griner shares message to wife as WNBA star's drug trial in Russia resumes
Her legal team told ABC News in a statement earlier this month that her "guilty" plea was recommended by her Russian attorneys.
"Brittney sets an example of being brave. She decided to take full responsibility for her actions as she knows that she is a role model for many people," the lawyers said in the statement. "Considering the nature of her case, the insignificant amount of the substance and BG's personality and history of positive contributions to global and Russian sport, the defense hopes that the plea will be considered by the court as a mitigating factor and there will be no severe sentence."
The WNBA star briefly spoke to ABC News during a break in Tuesday's proceedings at a courthouse in the Moscow suburb of Khimki. When asked whether she has any complaints, she said: "No, no complaints. Just waiting patiently."
She also shared with ABC News a message for her wife, Cherelle, who recently graduated from law school.
"Good luck on the bar exam," Griner said.
Griner's legal team continued to present evidence on Tuesday and called another witness to testify as pressure mounts on the United States to negotiate her release.
A Russian narcologist, Dr. Mikhail Tetyushkin, testified on Tuesday that cannabis is often used by professional athletes to treat sports injuries because of its therapeutic properties, including analgesic and anti-inflammatory. However, with constant use, it may impair motor coordination and reaction time, which is why athletes should not take it permanently, according to Tetyushkin. He also noted that there are no international standards to differentiate medical cannabis from a drug.