Moscow, Russia - A Russian court on Tuesday rejected Brittney Griner's appeal of her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession.

Griner participated in Tuesday’s appeal hearing via a video call from her prison cell.

Russian lawyer Maria Blagovolina told MSNBC the Mercury superstar was finding it "traumatic" to be away from her family and friends.

The eight-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist was convicted on August 4 after cannabis oil cartridges were found in her luggage at a Moscow airport in February.

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If Brittney Griner is going to return to the US anytime soon, it will most likely have to happen by way of a prisoner exchange.

In July, the US government revealed to have made a "substantial proposal" to get Griner home, along with Paul Whelan, a former US Marine serving a 16-year sentence in Russia for espionage.

However, the White House has yet to receive a productive response from Russia to the offer.

While the court ruled to uphold the sentence, it ruled that Griner's prison sentence will now including her time in pre-trial detention.

According to the Russian authorities, one day in pre-trial detention will be counted as 1.5 days in prison.

As a result, Griner would have to serve eight years.

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The White House responded with a statement slamming "another sham judicial proceeding."

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added that the Biden administration "has continued to engage with Russia through every available channel and make every effort to bring home Brittney as well as to support and advocate for other Americans detained in Russia, including fellow wrongful detainee Paul Whelan."

The WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) also released a statement with a call to action, encouraging the global sports community to voice its support for Griner and do more to help secure her release.