WNBA denounces ‘bad-faith efforts’ by ex-NBA players claiming to be trans to join league

The WNBA has denounced two former NBA players who mockingly declared themselves eligible for the women’s league by claiming to identify as women.

Former NBA (National Basketball Association) players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have claimed they are eligible for the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) draft. The draft isn’t until next April.

Freedom, who retired in 2022, declared he was a WNBA prospect. He wrote: “If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in WNBA.

“My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility critera and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion. Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027.”

Additionally, White, who retired in 2018, also declared his eligibility. He told Fox News: “I’m transgender. I’m a woman. I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball, professional basketball, so I’ll be declaring for the WNBA draft in 2027 as well.”

White went on: “I’m a young Black, hopefully United States Senator that would like a fair chance to participate as a sometimes-identifying-as-a-transgender-woman athlete.”

The league has now responded to this transphobic stunt that mocks trans athletes. Currently, there are no out trans players in the league.

Currently, the WNBA’s policy states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA”. The rule has no explicit language referencing gender identity or sex assigned at birth.

“There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA, and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalise others,” a league spokesperson told the Associated Press.

The statement came after an anti-hate task force met to discuss recent issues surrounding the WNBA, including the social media attacks on trans athletes.

“Today’s meeting covered a wide range of topics, including ongoing discussions on transgender athletes and the continued hate and vitriol directed at players online,” the WNBA statement said. 

“We will continue to engage all league stakeholders in the coming weeks and months. We will approach these important conversations thoughtfully and in alignment with the values of our league.”

This discussion began last month when Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham shared her perspective on trans athletes. She told ESPN that banning trans women from women’s sport was “common sense”, drawing both praise from gender-critical figures and criticism from trans rights supporters.

“I think that I am here to extend love,” she said. “But I also think with that love is truth, being honest.”

She added, after saying she “does not hate” trans people: “I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

Following JD Vance’s support for Cunningham, Caitlyn Jenner also weighed in on the controversy. When asked about the topic, Jenner criticised commissioner Cathy Engelbert. 

Jenner said: “They’re showing the hypocrisy of what’s going on out there in the WNBA.”

“XX, you’re in; XY, you’re out. It’s that simple,” Jenner said, adding: “We have to protect women’s sports.”

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