Critics slam ex-NBA players' push to enter WNBA draft

Two former NBA players jumped into the heart of heated discussions about transgender athletes this week, as both men declared they plan to enter the 2027 WNBA draft.

The announcements from Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White were widely criticized, called by one sports columnist not only "political stunts mocking the league and the women who play in it, but malicious attempts to demean a marginalized population."

The WNBA has faced weeks of controversy over Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's recent comments about trans people in sports.

Now, Kanter Freedom and White say their plans hinge on the league rules, which state only women can play, but which do not rule out transgender women. Here's what you need to know.

The debate began after Cunningham told ESPN she wanted "to protect … young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."

The term "biological male" is often used to deny or undermine trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people.

The remarks tapped into an issue hotly debated far beyond the WNBA , and set off a firestorm of media attention and protests in support of — and against — Cunningham.

Some in the Trump administration expressed support , including Vice-President JD Vance who hailed her as "courageous" in an interview with Fox News.

Meanwhile, some coaches and players in the WNBA — which has never had a transgender player and whose fanbase has traditionally been 2SLGTBQ+ — defended inclusivity in sports, including for transgender women and girls.

The players' union, the Women's National Basketball Player's Association, condemned "hate, abuse, and demonization" of any group, including transgender people, in a Sunday statement. "We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns."

Kanter Freedom, who retired from the NBA in 2022 after 11 seasons, wrote on Instagram he meets "every single requirement" of the WNBA, because "simply declaring who you are is all that’s required."

He added he is not out to "mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices."

White — who averaged zero points in his only three NBA games — told Fox News that he "sometimes [identifies] as a woman for purposes of basketball."

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