Mark Cuban, Brittney Griner: Dallas Mavericks Owner Says He'll Consider Drafting Baylor Women's Basketball All-American in 2013 NBA Draft, Possible Summer League Appearance

It's something that has been debated, but rarely attempted in professional sports. A woman playing in one of the four major pro sports (NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL). However, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban made headlines Tuesday night before the team's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The owner said he would consider drafting Baylor woman's basketball star Brittney Griner in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Of course, Cuban is know for being outspoken and sometime saying outrageous things, but he also has been one of the most successful owners in the NBA. Cuban is one of the most visible owners in the league, often being shown on TV sitting in the stands watching Mavericks games. Cuban also is on ABC reality show "Shark Tank."

Cuban even went as far as to say, right now he is leaning towards taking Griner in the draft. "If she is the best on the board, I will take her," Cuban said. "I've thought about it. I've thought about it already. Would I do it? Right now, I'd lean toward yes, just to see if she can do it. You never know unless you give somebody a chance, and it's not like the likelihood of any late-50s draft pick has a good chance of making it."

Griner is a 6'8 All-American basketball star who is leaving Baylor to enter the WNBA draft this year. Griner will likely go down as one of the greatest women's college basketball players ever. With her height and athleticism she has made numerous highlight reels with her dunks (which is rare in women's basketball) and dominating blocks. In response to Cuban's comments Griner tweeted, "...I would hold my own! Lets do it."

Cuban went on to say that Griner would have to earn a spot and prove she can play. He also mentioned the possibility of Griner playing in the NBA's summer league, which would provide tremendous promotion for the league. Even the pure speculation will attract a much larger audience to the 2013 NBA Draft. With only two rounds, Cuban would be taking a risk using one of the team's picks on Griner, but it would be a great marketing move.

It remains to be seen if Cuban would actually go through with drafting Griner, but if there was one owner in the NBA who would do it, it's Cuban. As ESPN notes, it wouldn't be totally unprecendented. In 1979 UNCLA's Ann Meyers tried out for the Indiana Pacers. However, as Yahoo! Sports says, the WNBA will have the rights to Griner when their Apirl 15 draft comes around. Barring something completely unforseen, Griner will be drafted first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2013 WNBA draft.