In a twist no one saw coming — not fans, not analysts, not even the die-hard Fever faithful — Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham just poured gasoline on one of basketball’s most heated debates. And yes, it all started with that comment from Michael Porter Jr., the one he just cannot stop resurrecting no matter how many times the internet drags him for it.
Porter Jr., now with the Brooklyn Nets, recently doubled down on his long-running take that elite boys’ teams could beat professional women’s players — this time specifying eighth graders — during his November 18 appearance on the Ball in the Family podcast. He even brought receipts from his childhood, insisting he “went crazy” against University of Missouri players, including Cunningham herself, when he was just a middle-schooler. Social media exploded, of course, partly because he keeps telling the story, partly because the timeline still doesn’t line up.
And then… Sophie responded.
During the November 20 episode of her Post Moves podcast, Cunningham finally addressed Porter Jr.’s comments — and what she said sent shockwaves through both the WNBA and NBA fandoms. Instead of clapping back, instead of dismantling his argument, instead of going full firestorm… she agreed.
“This is my personal opinion,” Cunningham began, “but if you are a professional athlete — football, basketball, any sport — and you’re in that elite level? Yeah, you should be able to beat the girls. I’m not surprised by that. I just don’t get why it keeps being brought up.”
Then came the line that made the internet’s collective jaw hit the floor:
“Any NBA star could beat a female in high school.”
Her co-host clarified the actual context — Porter wasn’t talking one-on-one, but about a full WNBA team versus an elite boys’ squad. And even then, Cunningham didn’t flinch.
“If they’re future pros, and they’re big already? It’s probably true,” she said. “Men are just stronger, bigger, more athletic. They just are a different build. So if you put them against females, yeah, they’re gonna win. I just don’t think it’s a fair matchup.”
It was the kind of brutally honest, no-filter take rarely heard from an active WNBA player — especially one name-dropped in the controversy itself. And the timing makes it even spicier: Cunningham and Lexie Hull were just announced as returning to the Fever, bringing toughness, defense, and fire back to the roster. Yet here she is, throwing a match into one of the sport’s most volatile conversations.
So what happens now?
WNBA fans are already split — some praising her for realism, others furious that she seemingly validated a narrative that has long minimized women’s basketball. NBA fans are celebrating the endorsement. And Porter Jr.? He’s somewhere smiling, knowing he just got unexpected backup from someone who grew up with him and battled him on the court.
One thing is certain: the take was loud, the timing was wild, and the reaction is about to get even louder.
Strap in — this debate isn’t cooling off anytime soon.
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