Two former NBA players, Royce White and Enes Kanter Freedom, say they intend to declare for the WNBA draft in 2027, arguing that the league’s collective bargaining agreement fails to clearly define who is eligible to play.
White, a former NBA player and Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Minnesota, said Sunday that the league’s lack of defined terminology reflects broader cultural and political trends he believes are eroding the country. “The WNBA is an example of a herald of us losing a lot of things in this country,” White said, adding that he supports “banning Sharia Law and Marxism nationwide” and expanded deportation enforcement. “The WNBA and their lack of terminology, precision is a herald of the times culturally, for sure.”
White pointed to Article XIII, Section 1(a) of the WNBA’s 409-page collective bargaining agreement, which states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA” without defining the term “woman.” The agreement also does not use the words “transgender” or “gender identity,” though it defines dozens of other terms in detail. “It’s just astounding that the WNBA can’t define the ‘W’ in the name,” White said, framing his planned declaration as an effort to draw attention to the ambiguity rather than a genuine attempt to make a roster. “My goal is to help elevate the WNBA,” he said. “I think the ticket prices and the attendance will soar.”
Kanter Freedom, a 6-foot-10 center who played for the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers, made a similar announcement, saying he had reviewed the league’s “eligibility guidelines and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion” and concluded he qualified for the April 2027 draft. “If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA,” he said. Kanter Freedom said the move was not meant to target transgender people. “I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices,” he said. “I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone.”
Legal experts and league observers note that Kanter Freedom’s position rests on a contested reading of the CBA. While the agreement contains broad anti-discrimination language, it does not state that self-declaration alone establishes eligibility, and it includes no specific policy addressing transgender athletes’ participation.
The declarations follow WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s acknowledgment in a memo to team governors, reported by The Associated Press, that the league has fielded increasing questions about transgender athlete participation. “We recognize that this is a complex and nuanced topic, and we will continue to have important conversations with all of you and the Players Association in the weeks and months ahead,” Engelbert wrote, saying the league planned to hold listening sessions with team leaders.
The controversy has also been fueled by recent comments from Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham opposing transgender participation in women’s sports, which drew wide reaction across the league. Several WNBA players and coaches have publicly voiced support for transgender inclusion.
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association addressed the debate in a statement emphasizing inclusion while rejecting what it called efforts to politicize the issue. “We embrace justice, equity, diversity and inclusion,” the union said. “Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns.”