WNBA declares Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White ineligible for 2027 draft
The WNBA has ruled that former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White cannot enter the 2027 draft, but has not explained the basis for the decision.
Unnamed sources within the WNBA informed one outlet that former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are not eligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft, describing their applications as mere publicity stunts. The league’s collective bargaining agreement specifies that only women may play, but it lacks a definition of "woman" or guidance on gender identity. Observers contend that the WNBA must reveal the standard it used to reject the two male-identifying athletes, especially if it relies on biological sex or other criteria.
Requests for an explanation, including the definition used in Article XIII, Section 1(a) of the CBA, have gone unanswered. The situation highlights a gap in the league’s eligibility rules ahead of the upcoming draft.
Why it matters
The decision raises questions about how the WNBA defines eligibility and handles gender identity issues.
In this story
Related stories
5 in this thread