WNBA says Enes Kanter Freedom, Royce White not eligible for draft, claims their womanhood is a ‘publicity stunt’ – FOS
Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are not eligible to play in the WNBA, Front Office Sports reports, citing league sources.
The issue follows weeks of debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports. In July, Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham declared her support for protecting women’s sports from trans athletes, sparking weeks of discussion and headlines.
Freedom declared in early August that he was an eligible WNBA prospect, saying, “after careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines, I am 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.”
Freedom also said he had recruited at least eight other male professional basketball players to declare for the WNBA draft. “They have all said that if the WNBA doesn’t change the rules, they’re ready to join the movement and are considering coming out as women and putting their names in the 2027 WNBA Draft,” he said.
White, a former NBA player, officially declared for the 2027 WNBA draft last week, with former Congressman Matt Gaetz serving as his legal counsel and signing off on the declaration. It stated in part: “As of the signing of the attached declaration, Ms. White identifies as a transgender woman. Consistent with Article XIII, Section 1(a) of the 2026–2033 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the WNBA and the WNBPA, Ms. White affirms her eligibility to be considered for selection on that basis.”
A league source called the declarations by Freedom and White “simply publicity stunts” and said the WNBA is “not going to give oxygen to efforts designed to mock the league or use this topic to demean and marginalize others.”
League sources said the WNBA has no legitimate, immediate eligibility matters requiring action. The league will continue discussing the topic but “will not allow outside pressure or manufactured controversy to dictate league processes.”
Under the WNBA’s latest collective bargaining agreement, Article XIII, Section 1(a) states: “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.” The agreement does not include language on gender identity or sex. The WNBA held an emergency task force meeting on the matter but failed to come out of the meeting with a definition of “women.”
On Sunday, Freedom attended the Chicago Sky-Indiana Fever game in Chicago and sat courtside. During the third quarter, he had a verbal altercation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. Cloud appeared to shout toward the baseline, where Freedom was seated. Freedom stood and raised his arms tauntingly before security restrained him and removed him.
Minutes later, surrounded by security in the landing area, Freedom, 34, said, “I’m supporting women, and that is the reason they are kicking me out. That’s unacceptable.”
It is unclear whether Freedom will be allowed to return to WNBA arenas.
