Two former NBA players have publicly declared themselves WNBA prospects.
Enes Kanter Freedom, 34, a 3rd overall 2011 draft pick by the Utah Jazz who played with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Portland Trailblazers, and Oklahoma City Thunder throughout his career has announced that he is ready to return to the court as a member of the WNBA.
In a video posted on X on Friday, Freedom, a 6’10” 250 lb Center, says that he has reviewed the WNBA rules and there is nothing in there that prevents him from declaring himself a prospect.
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
Following Freedom’s stunning and brave announcement, Royce White, 35, a first round NBA pick in 2012 and a current Republican candidate for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat, has announced that he would also like to play ball with the girls. He added that he “identifies as sometimes identifying as transgender for the purpose of professional basketball.” White has gone further and said that he doesn’t want to be discriminated against.
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
The WNBA’s 2026 collective bargaining agreement says in Article XIII that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA” but the 409-page document never clearly defines “women” nor does it clarify what precisely the policy is in relation to transgender women ie. biological men who want to live as women.
White, a sometimes-identifying-as-transgender-for-the-purposes-of-basketball male who is 6’8″ and 260 lbs has already started picking out his accessories. Oh, sorry. When related to b-ball, that should be her accessories.
It came y'all… My 1st wig! Tomorrow I test it on the court. This is my feminine era glow up, did I slay? If y'all don't "yassss queen" you're transphobic. I really don't understand all the hatred, I just want to play some hoops with my fellow ladies. 💅🏽
Royce White for U.S.… pic.twitter.com/I98XCP6TFh
— Royce White 🇺🇸 (@Highway_30) August 9, 2026
After the announcements by Freedom and White, the WNBA issued a statement that, “Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people only fuel fear, division, and harm.” It goes on to say that they will “continue to have hard conversations” but they “refuse to be political pawns.”
Later that day, a memo was sent to WNBA teams from the league’s commissioner that a “task force” will be discussing how the league will approach transgender athletes.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo to teams that addresses ongoing discussions around transgender athletes in women’s basketball.
“I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention,” Engelbert wrote in the memo, which was sent Friday afternoon and obtained by The Associated Press and ESPN. “I wanted to reach out to share how we are approaching these conversations at the league office and to thank those of you who have responded to questions from the media with thoughtfulness and professionalism.”
The memo said the topic will be discussed further by a task force of team presidents and general managers at a previously scheduled meeting next week.
Source: ESPN
The announcements by Freedom and White come amid the league’s criticism of Indiana Fever star, Sophie Cunningham, who has spoken out about the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sport.
As Cunningham’s star is rising for her commitment to reality, players and coaches have pushed back on her stance and insist that trans-identifying males shouldn’t be excluded from women’s sport.
Here is Natalie Nakase, Head Coach of the Golden State Valkyries saying that she embraces boys and men competing in girls’ and women’s sport because sports are all about inclusivity.
WNBA coach says men should be able to play in the WNBA. Finally! Where is my franchise, @wnba? My team will be 100% trans. The Travis owned Nashville Balls will be the most inclusive women’s/men’s team in WNBA history. Stop discriminating against us! pic.twitter.com/TXTDkjmSpO
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) August 3, 2026
Are these large, athletic men trolling the WNBA? Definitely. But the league only brought it on itself. And as White said in a Fox News interview over the weekend, it would probably boost attendance at games.
Even this Fox News host is at a complete loss for words after former NBA player Royce White says this about the WNBA. 😅
WHITE: “My goal is to help elevate the WNBA. I think the ticket prices and the attendance will SOAR.”
“I think the audience, the live audience will increase.… https://t.co/WUQUt7hfa1 pic.twitter.com/xfGMglWi7e
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) August 9, 2026
The issue is a real one.
This is precisely what is needed to end this absurdity that is an existential threat to women’s sport. The entire point of female-only leagues was to allow women to play against each other on a level playing field.
Shut up if you don't understand the issue pic.twitter.com/feSjLrpLlR
— Graham Linehan (@Glinner) August 9, 2026
As for the WNBA not being used as “political pawns”, well, that’s difficult when some players are sporting tees like this:
When your players wear shirts like this, the WNBA has no choice but to welcome trans women athletes with open arms.
The ball is in your court, WNBA. You asked for this. pic.twitter.com/92GMsXZKzk
— Planet Of Memes (@PlanetOfMemes) August 8, 2026
Freedom and White’s announcements are clearly upsetting all the right people.
Royce White and Enes Kanter declaring for the WNBA draft reminds me of that episode of The Office where Michael Scott shouted I declare bankruptcy in the middle of the office because he thought that’s what the phrase meant.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) August 8, 2026
And of course, behold the memes:
Just making a point, sister. pic.twitter.com/6sItUJkQ0J
— Andrew Wilson Fans (@debatereaction) August 8, 2026
Enes Kanter and Royce White dominate in their first WNBA all star game 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/jS6DLPvjag
— DFF (@DumbFxckFinder) August 8, 2026
.@marcorubio realizing that he’s about to be drafted for the @WNBA: pic.twitter.com/yDz9VlyIbz
— Jackie Chea ⚖️| Agent #13/92 (@Fair_and_Biased) August 8, 2026
As for Enes Kantor Freedom and Royce White’s WNBA dreams, I say, “You go, girls!”
