Report: Stern sees women in the NBA

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NEW YORK, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- NBA Commissioner David Stern tells Sports Illustrated that he sees women playing in the NBA within the next decade.

Stern told SI senior NBA writer Ian Thomsen in an exclusive interview this week that if a woman played in the NBA, she likely would have a combination of multiple skills and aggressiveness.

"It would be an athletic achievement without precedent," Stern said. "I think that's well within the range of probability … I'll leave it to the real experts to talk about the muscle factor."

The move was compared to the impact of Jackie Robinson breaking major league baseball's color barrier in 1947.

Stern has several supporters.

"The public would be excited about it," said New Jersey Nets General Manager and interim Coach Kiki Vandeweghe.

"It would be great for everyone ... if it can happen," said Boston Celtics Coach Doc Rivers. "(But) the key is whether the person is playing, or is she just on the team?"