Nets Star Michael Porter Jr. Apologizes to WNBA Players, Cites Iowa Basketball Roots in Family

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. is publicly apologizing for controversial comments he made about the WNBA, and he's pointing to his family's deep ties to women's college basketball, including a mother who starred at the University of Iowa, to prove his sincerity.

In a recent episode of his podcast, Curious Mike, Porter Jr. directly apologized to veteran WNBA guard Lexie Brown and other players who were offended by his past remarks comparing the league's popularity to that of professional ping-pong players.

What did Michael Porter Jr. say about the WNBA?

The controversy began in 2024 when Porter Jr. appeared on the Pivot Podcast. Responding to WNBA players advocating for higher salaries, he compared their popularity to ping-pong players and suggested the league lower its rims to create more exciting games. Critics, including Brown, said the comments dismissed the talent and competitiveness of women's basketball.

Porter Jr. faced additional backlash in 2025 when he suggested during a Twitch livestream that a McDonald's All-American boys' team would beat the women's Olympic team or the WNBA All-Star team.

Porter Jr. apologizes directly to Lexie Brown

During the podcast interview with Brown, Porter Jr. did not shy away from taking responsibility.

“I want to start this interview out actually by just kind of, in my own way, apologizing for the way that I have come off not only to you, but I feel like rubbed even other WNBA players the wrong way,” he said.

He added, “I have my opinions, and when people ask me questions, I do speak my mind, but I'm not always mindful of how that can come off.”

Family ties to Iowa and Missouri basketball

Porter Jr. explained that his comments do not reflect his true feelings about women's basketball, pointing to his upbringing in a household where women's sports were central.

His mother, Lisa Porter, played college basketball at the University of Iowa. His two sisters also played at the collegiate level, one at Iowa and one at Missouri.

“I feel like for you guys, when you saw my comments or whatever, I feel like y'all might have took it the wrong way,” he said. “In real life, I'm overly supportive of women.”

He continued, “My mom was one of the best basketball players, like whenever people ask who in your family really started the basketball thing, it was my mom. My sisters played so, I'm overly with y'all and what y'all do.”

Porter Jr. previously addressed the controversy during his first media day with the Nets, citing his family's basketball history and his childhood friendship with WNBA player Sophie Cunningham, who has defended him by saying his comments were taken out of context.

Why this apology matters for the WNBA's growth

Porter Jr.'s apology does not erase his past remarks, but his willingness to engage in a direct conversation with Brown marks a notable step. As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity, discussions about the league's value and player compensation are becoming more frequent.

Porter Jr. is among the few figures who have walked back controversial statements by taking the time to understand why those comments were harmful. His family's legacy in women's college basketball, particularly at Iowa, adds a local connection for Hawkeye fans who have followed the rise of women's basketball in the state.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Aug 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section.