The debate between NBA and WNBA players holding their own against each other has long been a topic of conversation, and LSU star Flau’jae Johnson recently weighed in with a candid response.

Responding to Shannon Sharpe’s viral question about whether a top WNBA player could beat an NBA bench player, Johnson offered a rebuttal highlighting the physical differences between the two leagues.

Flau’jae Johnson Shuts Down NBA vs. WNBA Comparison With Brutal Honesty

Johnson, known for her standout performances on the court and her voice off of it, recently weighed in on the NBA vs. WNBA debate sparked by Sharpe.

In a video that’s gone viral, Sharpe asked whether a top-tier WNBA player, like A’ja Wilson or Breanna Stewart, could beat a bench NBA player one-on-one. Johnson’s response? A firm and honest “no.”

Can a WNBA player beat a NBA player?

“It’s not physically possible. No. You know how hard it is to get in the NBA? … I know I can’t.” – @Flaujae pic.twitter.com/PPUg0U3Gq5

— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) July 27, 2025

“It’s not physically possible,” she said. “I could barely grab rim. You [NBA players] over the backboard. Like I’m not about to play you.” Johnson acknowledged the talent and skill of WNBA stars, but she also made it clear that the physical gap between male and female athletes at the NBA level is too wide to ignore.

A’ja Wilson’s Belief Met With Respectful Disagreement

Johnson’s take came as a direct contrast to what Wilson has suggested in the past, that top WNBA players could hold their own against certain NBA players. While Wilson’s argument centers on skill and fundamentals, Johnson doesn’t disagree with the talent but highlights the unavoidable difference in athleticism.

Sharpe attempted to frame the debate more fairly, proposing a matchup between a WNBA superstar and the 12th or 13th man on an NBA roster, someone who plays only in blowouts. But Johnson remained firm in her stance.

“Them guys can dunk,” Johnson said. “Them guys are All-Americans. You know how hard it is to get in the NBA?”

Johnson isn’t just speaking from opinion; her game backs it up. As one of LSU’s brightest stars, she averaged 18.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while starting all 34 games last season.

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She reached double-digit scoring in LSU’s first 29 games, posted 17 games with 20-plus points, and recorded multiple games with at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists. She even dropped a career-high 28 points in LSU’s Elite Eight matchup against UCLA, with 24 of those coming in the second half.

Despite her own elite talent and success, Johnson knows what separates the NBA from every other basketball platform. Her honesty about the physical demands and rare talent it takes to break into the NBA is a refreshing and realistic take in a world often filled with sports hot takes and fantasy matchups.