Basketball is a game of skill and strategy. However, nobody can deny the intense physicality involved in the sport. While many believe that WNBA athletes can participate in the NBA, there are some who think the NBA is too brutal for them. The latest to join this debate is former NBA star Iman Shumpert. 

Let’s have a closer look at the opinions of this popular NBA star.

Iman Shumpert’s take on WNBA athletes competing in the NBA

The former NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers has a different take on whether women can play in the men’s basketball league. In a video he is asked if there has ever been a female player he feels could have joined the NBA, he gave a surprising answer. Responding to the question with a gesture he said “No.”

Adding to his response, he said, “It’s the physicals. Don’t get me wrong they could probably play, I just don’t think it’s gonna translate much.” It’s evident that he has his doubts about whether the woman players can match the levels of men when it comes to physicality in basketball.

He further added, “Especially in now’s game, if one of the females got on the team and they kept her for four years, she’d be ready.” 

On a rather funnier note, he was asked what about the flip side. What if Kevin Durant put on a wig and said I wanna play for the WNBA? Initially, he had a shocking look on his face. Then he replied, “Do you wanna man? Boy, Oh party time. And y’all give him a little rock so he can shoot it from Arkansas.”

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The NBA legend Kobe Bryant was also asked about his thoughts on women participating in the NBA in an interview with CNN. In his response, Bryant gave the names of three WNBA players.

Women athletes in the NBA over the years

According to him, three WNBA players could take part in the NBA– Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Delle-Donne. Moreover, many female athletes in the past have been picked in the NBA drafts. However, none of them took part in a game. In 1969, the San Francisco Warriors picked 19-year-old Denise Long. She was the first ever woman to be selected in an NBA draft. However, it was later vetoed by the commissioner and seen as a PR stunt.

Then in 1977, Luisa Harris was a seventh-round pick for the New Orleans Jazz. Nevertheless, she refused to try out for the team. Later, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban also caused quite a stir. Apparently, he was thinking of drafting Baylor star– Britney Griner– in the second round. But nothing transpired after the pick.

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Everyone has their personal opinions. While Iman Shumpert may have found only one way to get the WNBA players to compete in the NBA, others may differ. Maybe we will see some female hoopers in the NBA soon playing side-by-side with their male peers. What are your thoughts on this? Share with us in the comment section below.