Geno Auriemma on Mark Cuban’s comments about drafting Brittney Griner

Yesterday during a media teleconference with Final Four coaches, Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma addressed comments recently made by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban about drafting Baylor’s star center Brittney Griner. Cuban said he would consider drafting the 6-8 phenom in the second round of the NBA draft. Auriemma’s take:

Well, obviously Mark Cuban’s a genius, because he’s been able to parlay some great ideas into billion-dollar industries, and he’s done a great job as the owner of the Dallas Mavericks and he’s won an NBA championship.  And he’s done a lot for basketball.

His genius would take a huge hit if he drafted Brittney Griner.  And if Brittney Griner tries to make an NBA team, I think it would be a public relations thing.  I think it would be a sham.

The fact that a woman could actually play right now in the NBA and compete successfully against the level of play that they have is absolutely ludicrous.