Brittney Griner‘s legal team released a statement Thursday shortly after the basketball star pleaded guilty to drug charges in Russia, where she has been detained since February. According to People, attorneys Maria Blagovolina and Alexander Boykov said Griner’s plea “was her decision informed by discussion with her legal defense team in Russia.”

“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 legal team said in their statement.

The attorneys also said they are hopeful that Griner’s plea will help her avoid a “severe sentence,” 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.”

 As Blavity previously reported, the WNBA star appeared in a Russian court on Thursday and said she “inadvertently” carried  hash oil in her luggage at the airport.

“I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law,” Griner told the judge, according to Reuters. “I’d like to give my testimony later. I need time to prepare.”

Griner’s trial is expected to end with sentencing at the beginning of August. The two-time Olympic gold medalist faces up to 10 years in prison.

The U.S. State Department has classified the star athlete as wrongfully detained by the Russian Federation. 

“Our position for some time on this has been very clear. Brittney Griner should not be detained. She should not be detained for a single day longer,” Ned Price, State Department spokesperson, said in a June 14 press briefing.