U.S. officials continue to press Russia for access to WNBA star Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury is seen during the game against the Indiana Fever at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on September 6, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The State Department is still trying to get access to the basketball player after she was arrested in Russia on suspicion of trying to smuggle drugs into the country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine, triggering international backlash and a slew of punishing sanctions. A professional athlete has been accused of carrying a drug that can result in up to 10 years in prison.

The State Department's Jalina Porter told reporters on a call Friday that the U.S. officials are very close to engaging on the case. When pressed by reporters, Porter refused to provide further details.

State Department spokesman Ned Price told MSNBC that the Biden administration is very concerned about the case.

Russia must allow us to provide consular services for U.S. citizens who are in Russia, Price said.

We are going to continue to push for that, to see that Russia lives up to its international obligations. We are going to do everything we can to make sure that her rights are respected.

A person close to the situation told NBC News that the Russian legal team has met with her multiple times a week during her captivity.

The person said that a trial date would be set once the investigation was over.

There will be another hearing if the investigation is not finished by May 19. The request to be transferred to house arrest has been denied.