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Geno Auriemma blasts Mark Cuban

NBA, Women's College Basketball, Dallas Mavericks, Baylor Bears, Connecticut Huskies

Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma doesn't think much of Mark Cuban's notion of drafting Brittney Griner into the NBA.

Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, said Tuesday night that he would consider drafting Griner, the 6-foot-8 senior standout for Baylor whose career ended over the weekend when the Lady Bears lost in the NCAA tournament.

Cuban told reporters that if Griner is the best player available, "I will take her."

"Right now, I'd lean toward yes, just to see if she can do it," he said. "You never know unless you give somebody a chance."

Griner responded with a tweet: "I would hold my own! Lets do it"

Auriemma said Wednesday that Cuban is a financial genius, but "his genius would take a huge hit if he drafted Brittney Griner."

"I think it would be a sham," he said. "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."

"We evaluate every draft-eligible player on the planet," Cuban said in an email to USA Today responding to Auriemma's criticism. "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."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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