Former NBA Star Declares Eligibility In WNBA As Trans Debate Dramatically Escalates

Enes Kanter Freedom enters the WNBA eligibility debate as Boosie, Sophie Cunningham and Gabby Williams take opposing positions.

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom is trying to crash the 2027 WNBA Draft by turning the league’s unresolved transgender question into a public test.

The 34-year-old former NBA center announced Friday that he considers himself eligible for April’s draft after reviewing the league’s current language.

“After careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines, I’m officially declaring myself a WNBA prospect,” Freedom said in a video posted on X.

“If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA.”

Freedom insisted the move was not intended to mock any community while demanding the league apply its rules equally and without exception.

However, the 2026 collective bargaining agreement only states that women may play and provides no public definition or self-identification standard to support his interpretation.

The calculated challenge will probably irritate Boosie, whose recent attack on transgender participation singled out French center Julie Tét###.

“PLEASE KEEP THEM JUWANNA MANS OUT THE WNBA‼️U WAS MADE A MAN TO PLAY AGAINST ONE 💯GO TRY OUT FOR THE NBA N MATCH UP AGAINST WEMBY‼️” Boosie wrote on X.

Tét### had only said she would consider a WNBA opportunity, but Boosie treated that hypothetical answer as a threat to women’s basketball.

The argument began gaining force after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham explained her position during a July 21 ESPN profile.

“I think that I am here to extend love,” Cunningham said. “But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

The controversy produced competing rallies before Fever games while Commissioner Cathy Engelbert organized league discussions about fairness, inclusion and player eligibility.

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams then offered the clearest welcome for any transgender player who might eventually reach the league.

“I would welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team, anytime,” Williams said. “I don’t think it’s a problem in the world. It’s just another way to kind of attack trans people.”

It remains to be seen how Williams would feel if Freedom, a man who has not publicly identified as transgender, actually played beside her in the WNBA.

Related