Former NBA Players Challenge WNBA Eligibility Rules
Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White say they plan to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft as the league faces growing pressure to clarify its eligibility rules.
Kanter Freedom announced his plans Friday and said he reviewed the WNBA’s eligibility framework before making his declaration. He argued that the league’s focus on inclusion and self-identification could make him eligible to enter the draft.
White quickly followed Kanter’s announcement. The former NBA player said he identifies as sometimes identifying as a woman for professional basketball purposes and wants the league to explain its eligibility standards.
Kanter emphasized that he did not intend to mock or disrespect transgender people. Instead, he said he wanted the WNBA to clarify its rules and apply them consistently.
The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement currently states that only women can play in the league. However, the agreement does not specifically define “woman” or outline requirements involving biological sex, hormone levels or physical characteristics. The agreement also does not say that someone automatically qualifies through self-identification alone.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the controversy Friday in a memo to teams. She said a task force made up of team presidents and general managers will discuss transgender player eligibility at a meeting next week.
Engelbert also emphasized the league’s responsibility to preserve competitive fairness and the integrity of the game.
The WNBA Players Association responded with a statement that emphasized diversity and inclusion. The union also said it would not allow itself to become a political tool and called for protections for women’s sports while rejecting harassment and demonization of transgender people.
The debate gained momentum after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham criticized the possibility of transgender women playing in the WNBA last month. Her comments sparked protests and counterprotests at WNBA games.
