Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White will not be eligible to participate in the 2027 WNBA Draft, according to sources around the league cited by Reuters.
Both former NBA players had announced their intention to enter the WNBA Draft, stating that they are transgender women. Kanter Freedom played in the NBA for more than a decade beginning in 2011, while White spent one season in the league.
Kanter Freedom and White become part of WNBA debate
According to sources cited by Reuters, the move was viewed within the league as an attempt to create division and attract attention at a time when transgender participation in women’s sports has become a major political and sporting issue in the United States.
The WNBA currently does not have a specific, publicly available policy regarding transgender participation. The league remains in discussions with stakeholders on the issue.
Sophie Cunningham controversy
The debate intensified following comments made by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham in an ESPN interview.
Cunningham said she wanted to protect young girls in locker rooms and in sports, including from having to compete against biological males.
Her comments sparked a strong reaction among WNBA fans, with some criticizing her position while others rallied behind the Fever guard. Demonstrations supporting Cunningham have also taken place outside Fever games.
WNBPA responds to the controversy
The WNBA Players Association recently addressed the broader debate, saying that its players would not be used as “political pawns.”
The union also condemned hate, abuse and the demonization of any person or group, including transgender people, warning that such rhetoric fuels fear, division and harm.
Kanter Freedom ejected during Sky-Fever game
The latest development comes days after Kanter Freedom was ejected from a game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever.
Kanter Freedom said on social media that he was removed after a verbal altercation with Natasha Cloud. In an emailed response to Reuters, he said he had been supporting Cunningham when Cloud began “yapping and cursing” at him.
Reuters said it was not immediately able to reach Royce White for comment.
Commenta
Visualizza commenti