Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has finally responded after making another disrespectful remark about women’s basketball. Angel McCoughtry, the 2009 WNBA No. 1 overall draft pick, publicly called him out for his comments, urging him to show appreciation for the women’s game instead of belittling it.
During an interview on the “Higher Learning” podcast with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay, McCoughtry emphasized that men should use their words to uplift women rather than criticize the sport they play. She highlighted the physical and emotional challenges women endure, especially athletes, and stressed the importance of recognizing their strength.
McCoughtry, standing 6-foot-1, had a 13-season career in the WNBA, where she averaged 16.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game over 311 games. She is a five-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion, two-time steals leader, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and a member of the WNBA’s 25th Anniversary Team.
She pointed out that while men might have greater physical prowess on the court, women bring unique strengths off it—such as motherhood and balancing family life while maintaining a professional basketball career. McCoughtry urged for a celebration of these achievements, noting that many women return from childbirth to continue dominating in sports, an accomplishment that deserves recognition alongside feats like dunking.
In her response, McCoughtry also questioned Porter’s motives behind sharing a story of her outplaying older girls in eighth grade. She contrasted his attitude with that of legendary NBA players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry, who have always supported and uplifted the women’s game. She questioned why current stars like Porter, Lonzo Ball, and Jason Williams show less respect, emphasizing that the difference lies more in their character than their talent.
Kobe Bryant, in particular, was a great advocate for women’s basketball, motivated by his daughter Gigi’s involvement in the sport. LeBron and Steph Curry have also been vocal supporters. Meanwhile, MPJ and Lonzo, despite their promising careers, have yet to demonstrate the same respect and support off the court.
Fan Take: This exchange highlights an ongoing challenge in gaining respect for the WNBA from male athletes and the general public. For WNBA fans, it signals the need to continue pushing for broader recognition of the sport’s value and the incredible resilience of its players both on and off the court. This dialogue could inspire more positive alliances between male and female basketball players, fostering greater unity and support for women’s basketball.
