Ex-NBA Player Enes Kanter Declares For WNBA Draft Amid Trans Athlete Debate
The former NBA center's announcement challenges whether the league's eligibility framework allows entry through self-identification, intensifying debate over transgender participation in women's sports.
- On Friday, former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom announced he was "officially declaring myself a WNBA prospect" for the 2027 draft, saying he had reviewed the league's eligibility guidelines and believed he qualified under its "self-identification and inclusion" framework.
- The declaration followed weeks of controversy sparked by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, whose July ESPN profile stated she wanted to "protect young girls in a locker room" who "shouldn't have to go against biological men," a position she later defended as common sense.
- Former NBA first-round pick Royce White declared for the draft hours after Freedom, telling Fox News he "identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purposes of…professional basketball" and predicted he would be "unstoppable" in the league.
- WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert responded Friday with a memo to teams stating the league would approach the topic "thoughtfully, respectfully," while the Women's National Basketball Players Association emphasized "justice, equity, diversity and inclusion" and rejected use as "political pawns."
- The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement requires only women to be eligible but does not define eligibility through self-declaration alone; neither Freedom nor White has been placed in the 2027 draft pool, and their declarations carry no formal procedural standing under current league rules.
133 Articles
133 Articles
Stephen A. Smith cheers as WNBA's trans politics come under fire · American Wire News
A touch of “trolling” didn’t stop Stephen A. Smith from getting fired up over the WNBA’s “flagrant hypocrisy” as he lauded two former basketballers for forcing a league position on gender ideology. (Video Credit: Stephen A. Smith Sports) Since men and boys playing in women’s and girls’ sports became a nationwide issue, it has too often been the girls who’ve been left alone to take a stand while opportunities and safe spaces were stolen from the…
POLITICS: Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White just dunked on the WNBA
WNBA star Sophie Cunningham is right: Keeping biological men out of women’s sports is common sense. Ex-NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom drove home that point last week by announcing that will declare for the WNBA draft. Royce White, another former NBA player and Republican politician, quickly followed, saying he’d do the same. Ex-NBA star Enes Kanter claims he is entering the 2027 WNBA Draft. X/@EnesFreedom The men’s stunts follow a woke reply to …
SURPRISE! CBS Reports Enes Kanter and Royce White Interest in the WNBA Draft
SURPRISE! CBS Reports Enes Kanter and Royce White Interest in the WNBA Draft The recent controversies surrounding the WNBA and some of its marquee stars normally get ignored on the Elitist Media Evening News. CBS News is the rare exception, and viewers of the CBS Evening News got to see reporting on both the flagrant foul against Sophie Cunningham AND a couple of former NBA players making themselves available to the upcoming WNBA Draft.Watch the…
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