Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White — Former NBA Players Who Declared For WNBA Draft — Ruled Ineligible: REPORT
Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White — Former NBA Players Who Declared For WNBA Draft — Ruled Ineligible: REPORT
Andrew Powell Tue, August 25, 2026 at 2:16 PM UTC
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Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White — Former NBA Players Who Declared For WNBA Draft — Ruled Ineligible: REPORT ©(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The WNBA is transphobic? Who knew?
According to Front Office Sports (FOS), citing league sources, former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have been ruled ineligible to compete in the WNBA.
Recently, Freedom and White both declared for the 2027 WNBA draft, while also making the claim that they identify as women. One of FOS's sources branded their declarations as "simply publicity stunts" and stated that the WNBA is "not going to give oxygen to efforts designed to mock the league or use this topic to demean and marginalize others." (RELATED: Enes Kanter Freedom Ejected From WNBA Game After Confrontation With Sky's Natasha Cloud)
The outlet's league sources also said that the WNBA doesn't have any legitimate, immediate eligibility matters that require its action. Per a source, the league will keep discussing the topic; however, it "will not allow outside pressure or manufactured controversy to dictate league processes."
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The eligibility rules for the WNBA are collectively bargained. Per the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), a line reads, "Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA." The line is in Article XIII, Section 1 (a).
Neither gender identity nor gender assigned at birth is addressed in the CBA's language.
I am devastated. Truly heartbroken.
The WNBA front office, in a completely tragic act, has robbed sports fans of what would have undeniably been the single most surreal, hilarious television spectacle in modern broadcasting history.
Think of what we were denied ... it's an outright crime if you ask me.
Source: “AOL Sports”
