Former NBA first-round picks Royce White and Enes Kanter Freedom announce bids for 2027 WNBA Draft

Royce White, a 35-year-old former NBA forward who was selected 16th overall in the 2012 draft, announced on one outlet that he will file for the 2027 WNBA Draft, stating he sometimes identifies as a woman for basketball. His plan arrives hours after Enes Kanter Freedom, the 2011 third-overall pick, posted a video on X declaring his own eligibility for the same draft. The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement restricts play to women, and no male or transgender athlete has ever competed in the league, prompting controversy.

Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham recently expressed opposition to transgender participation in women’s sports, fueling discussion among right-leaning influencers who have amplified both players’ statements. White, who is also running in Minnesota’s August 11 Republican primary for Senate and has faced legal orders concerning his ex-wife and child, said he would consider withdrawing only if the league issued a definitive ruling on male participation. The announcements have reignited the broader debate over gender eligibility in professional sports.