After a playing career that fell short of expectations despite his undeniable talent, Royce White appeared determined to make a name for himself in politics.<\/p>\n
The former Iowa State standout, however, has now decided to follow in the footsteps of Enes Kanter Freedom after hearing the former NBA player’s recent comments.<\/a><\/p>\n “I\u2019m now transgender. I\u2019m going to pursue a career in the WNBA\u2026 I identify as a sometimes identifying trans woman. I wish to be treated fairly and don\u2019t want to be discriminated against. This is a serious pursuit. I realize after 35 years, I\u2019m actually a woman”.<\/p>\n Speaking to Fox News<\/a>, White explained his reasoning:<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019d be unstoppable. But I\u2019m a team-first guy. I\u2019m a pass-first kind of player. I do the little things. I led my team in all five major statistical categories at Iowa State University, so I do a little bit of everything. I\u2019ll do whatever the coach needs me to do. I\u2019ll do whatever the girls need me to do…<\/p>\n \u201cI think the WNBA could come out and make a definitive statement about guys with a pair of \u2018balls\u2019 playing in the Women\u2019s Basketball Association.\u201d<\/p>\n Here is the WNBA’s response to Kanter Freedom.<\/a><\/p>\n Asked whether he would proceed if the league did not take a position on the matter, White replied:<\/p>\n \u201cOh, no, I\u2019m declaring. And I don\u2019t want to be discriminated against. I want fair treatment. I\u2019m a young Black man, hopefully a United States senator, who would like a fair chance to participate as an athlete who sometimes identifies as a transgender woman.\u201d<\/p>\n White, 35, is also running in Minnesota\u2019s Republican primary on August 11 for a seat in the U.S. Senate. In 2024, he was the Republican nominee against Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019m now transgender. I\u2019m going to pursue a career in the WNBA\u2026 I identify as a sometimes identifying trans woman. I wish to be treated fairly and don\u2019t want to be discriminated against. This is a serious pursuit. I realize after 35 years, I\u2019m actually a woman.<\/p>\n Royce White for\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Ze0Ap0V9s6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Royce White \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Highway_30) August 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n