WNBA Rejects Draft Bid From Former NBA Players, Calling Intentions a ‘Publicity Stunt’

The WNBA slammed the door on former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White after their recent declarations of intent to enter the 2027 WNBA draft. According to Front Office Sports, a WNBA source confirmed on Monday, neither player is eligible to compete in the league. The two had claimed they identify as women and wanted to play in the Women’s National Basketball Association. The source characterized the declarations as “simply publicity stunts,” emphasizing that the organization will not participate in actions intended to demean the league and its athletes. “The league is not going to give oxygen to efforts designed to mock the league or use this topic to demean and marginalize others,” the league source told Front Office Sports. The source added that the WNBA currently has no legitimate eligibility matters requiring official action and will not allow “outside pressure or manufactured controversy to dictate league processes.” Under Article XIII of the new collective bargaining agreement, “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.” The agreement does not outline additional language regarding gender identity or gender assigned at birth. Messrs. Freedom and White injected themselves in the controversy over transgender athletes in women’s sports. It became a hot-button issue for the WNBA when Indiana Fever forward Sophie Cunningham said in an ESPN interview that she was opposed to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. Since then rallies have been held before Fever games in Seattle, Portland, Minnesota and outside Barclays Center in Brooklyn. When the two former NBA players made their announcements, the WNBA said earlier this month it would convene a task force to address the controversy during a previously scheduled meeting. The announcement on Monday comes after Mr. Freedom was ejected from a WNBA game on Sunday between the Fever and Chicago Sky in Chicago. Mr. Freedom was sitting courtside when a verbal confrontation broke out between him and Sky veteran guard Natasha Cloud during the third quarter. Mr. Freedom stood up, extended his arms and took a step toward Ms. Cloud before arena security intervened and escorted him away from the court area. Wearing a T-shirt that read: “WOMAN noun: adult human female,” he expressed frustration over his removal. “I’m supporting women, and that is the reason they are kicking me out,” he reportedly told security personnel. “That’s unacceptable.” It remains unclear whether he will face a ban from attending future WNBA events or entering league arenas.

WNBA Rejects Draft Bid From Former NBA Players, Calling Intentions a ‘Publicity Stunt’

WNBA Rejects Draft Bid From Former NBA Players, Calling Intentions a ‘Publicity Stunt’

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