NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have been declared ineligible for the WNBA draft, according to an anonymous source familiar with the situation. The decision has raised questions, but the WNBA has not publicly commented on the specific reasons for their ineligibility.
Both Freedom and White had expressed their intention to enter next year's draft, identifying themselves as women. Despite their declarations, it appears the league deemed them ineligible, although further details have not been provided regarding this decision. The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement specifies that the league is restricted to women but lacks comprehensive language addressing gender identity or sex assigned at birth.
The topic of transgender women—individuals assigned male at birth who transition to align with their gender identity—has been a focal point of ongoing debate within the WNBA. To date, no transgender player has participated in the league. The absence of clear guidelines surrounding gender identity in the league's policies has further complicated discussions on eligibility.
Enes Kanter Freedom, standing at 6 feet 10 inches and weighing 250 pounds, had a notable career, playing 11 seasons in the NBA. Royce White's experience was limited to three NBA games. Their foray into the WNBA draft signals a desire to compete at a professional level but has sparked controversy due to their declared gender identity.
Recently, Freedom was involved in an incident during a game between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky that resulted in his ejection. While seated along the baseline, he wore a black shirt with the words "WOMAN noun. adult human female," which prompted a confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. The situation escalated when Cloud approached Freedom, leading to security intervention as tensions rose between them.
Freedom was escorted away from the court while continuing to advocate for women’s rights. Following the incident, he took to social media to express his frustration, stating, "I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in, AMERICA!" His actions have drawn attention and comments from various quarters, reflecting the heated nature of the ongoing discourse around gender and sports.
This incident follows remarks made by WNBA player Sophie Cunningham, who openly expressed opposition to transgender girls and women competing in women's sports. Her comments have further ignited debates within the league, particularly concerning how the WNBA handles issues surrounding transgender participation. The implications of the league's policies and the recent developments involving Freedom and White add layers to an already complex dialogue about inclusivity and fairness in women's sports.
