Two former NBA stars have announced their intent to declare for next year’s WNBA draft as the league finds itself at the center of the ongoing debate over men in women’s sports.
Enes Kanter Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the NBA and has been a critic of superstar LeBron James’ turning a blind eye to China’s human right abuses, once again waded into the political waters with his announcement that he’s declaring for the 2027 WNBA draft, stating that he’s eligible according to the league’s guidelines.
The WNBA has been in the headlines over its stance on transgender athletes after star player Sophie Cunningham spoke up that she believes that women’s sports should be for real females only.
The former Boston Celtic made his announcement in a video posted to social media as he sat behind a desk dressed in an orange WNBA hoodie sweatshirt with the NIKE logo crossed out.
After careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines,
I’m officially declaring myself a @WNBA prospect.If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA.
My team and I have… pic.twitter.com/msncUZUT1J
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) August 7, 2026
“If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA,” Freedom said in his Friday post to X. “My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion. Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027.”
“I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions,” he added. “I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices. I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone — the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for.”
Not to be outdone, former NBA first round draft pick Royce White also announced that he will declare for the 2027 WNBA draft, proclaiming that he is now transgender.
EXCLUSIVE: Former NBA first-round pick Royce White says he’s declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft, claiming he now identifies as transgender for the purpose of playing professional basketball.
The 6-foot-8 former Houston Rockets draft pick follows fellow former NBA player Enes… pic.twitter.com/yUI8NdoiaX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 8, 2026
“I’m transgender. I’m a woman. I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball, professional basketball, so I’ll be declaring for the WNBA draft in 2027 as well,” White told Fox News Digital.
“I think I’d be unstoppable. But I’m a team-first guy. I’m a pass-first kind of player. I do the little things. I led my team in all five major stat categories at Iowa State University, so I do a little bit of everything. I’ll do whatever the coach needs me to do. I’ll do whatever the girls need me to do…,” he said. “I think it’s only fair.”
“As I stated a few days ago, I am declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft,” White said in a Friday X post featuring him showing off his on-court skills. “I identify as a sometimes identifying transgender woman! My wig is in the mail.”
As I stated a few days ago, I am declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
I identify as a sometimes identifying transgender woman! My wig is in the mail. pic.twitter.com/lPVsmcMOVD
— Royce White 🇺🇸 (@Highway_30) August 7, 2026
White, who is on the ballot as a GOP Senate candidate for the Minnesota primary, also said that he would end his challenge if the WNBA clarifies its position on men in women’s sports.
“I think the WNBA could come out and make a definitive statement about guys with a pair of balls playing in the Women’s Association,” he told Fox News Digital.
When asked if he planned go forward unless the WNBA made a statement clarifying its position, the U.S. Senate hopeful said, “Oh, no, I’m declaring. And I don’t want to be discriminated against. I want fair treatment. I’m a young Black, hopefully United States Senator that would like a fair chance to participate as a sometimes-identifying-as-a-transgender-woman athlete.”
He also suggested he could take legal action if not drafted.
“I have to file a discrimination lawsuit, right? I mean, that’s, that’s ridiculous,” White said. “We’re gonna have to have a huge legal battle about discrimination if I can’t play.”
“I haven’t even been publicly trans for 72 hours and I’m already getting so much hate,” White said in another Friday X post. “I just want to hoop with my girls in my feminine era! Why can’t y’all be happy for me?”
Freedom’s announcement was cheered by many, including former NCAA women’s swimming star Riley Gaines, a champion for the rights of women in sports.
🚨 NOW: Riley Gaines just NAILED IT after former NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom qualified himself for the 2027 WNBA Draft
“It’s BRILLIANT and GENIUS. [WNBA] can either recruit and sign Enes Kanter Freedom, [or] they can prove themselves as total, absolutely BIGOTS who don’t… pic.twitter.com/Jkzf45dbTG
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 7, 2026
“See you at training camp,” Freedom said.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.