Woman's Coach Unhappy With Mark Cuban's NBA Offer to Brittney Griner

Outspoken Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban made waves this week when he said that he would draft women's college hoops star Brittney Griner in the NBA Draft-but not everyone thinks the move is such a good idea.

University of Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma isn't onboard with the idea. As he prepared to take his Huskies squad into the Final Four, the comments Auriemma issued indicated that he feels the whole thing was more of a publicity stunt.

"Obviously Mark Cuban is a genius because he's been able to parlay some great ideas into billion dollar industries and he's done a great job as owner of the Dallas Mavericks," Auriemma said, as reported by USA Today.

"He's won an NBA championship and he's done an awful lot for basketball. His genius would take a huge hit if he drafted Brittney Griner. And if Brittney Griner tries to make it to an NBA team, I think it would be a public relations thing and I think it would be a sham," he added

Cuban raised a lot of eyebrows this week when he said that he would strongly consider drafting Griner, who scored 3,283 points and blocked 748 shots in her college career for Baylor, along with 18 dunks.

Griner eagerly responded via Twitter, "@mcuban  so when do I show up for try-outs!!!"

However, Auriemma was less optimistic about such an endeavor.

"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," he added.

Cuban, who made his fortune in software, didn't take too kindly to Auriemma's thoughts, issuing a retort in an email through USA Today.

"We evaluate every draft eligible player on the planet," Cuban said. "The chance of any college graduate selected at the end of the draft making a roster is very, very small. We wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't consider everyone.

"As I told the media yesterday, she would have to excel in workouts to get drafted. I have no problem giving her that opportunity. I hope she gives it a shot.

"Nothing harms an organization or company more than a closed mind," he added.