Sports News Report
League: WNBASport: BasketballCountry: United StatesCategory: Scores & Results

Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White ineligible for WNBA play

8 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 26, 2026, 9:46 AM

Last updated Aug 26, 2026

Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White ineligible for WNBA play
Summary

Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are confirmed ineligible to participate in the WNBA after declaring their intention to enter the 2027 WNBA draft, identifying as women. A league source dismissed their declarations as publicity stunts. The WNBA's eligibility rules specify that only female players can compete, while the new collective bargaining agreement lacks language on gender identity. Freedom faced a verbal altercation with Natasha Cloud during a Chicago Sky game, which led to his ejection. It is unclear if he can return to WNBA arenas.

Source Links
Yahoo SportsBleacher ReportGoogle NewsFrontofficesports.com
Status Watch
  • •Freedom and White declared for the 2027 WNBA draft.
  • •A league source labeled their intentions as publicity stunts.
  • •Only players who are women are eligible for the WNBA.
  • •Freedom was ejected from a game after an altercation with Cloud.
  • •It is uncertain if Freedom can return to WNBA venues.
Latest Updates
  • 9:46 AMYahoo Sports — WNBA Fans Buzz As Enes Kanter And Royce White Are Declared Ineligible For WNBA Draft
  • 7:30 AMBleacher Report — Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White Are Not Eligible for the WNBA Draft, AP Source Says - Bleacher Report
  • 1:02 AMYahoo Sports — Ex-NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom, Royce White not eligible to play in WNBA
  • 10:33 PMGoogle News — Former NBA players Kanter Freedom, White not eligible for WNBA, sources say - Reuters
  • 10:01 PMYahoo Sports — Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are not eligible for the WNBA draft, AP source says
  • 9:02 PMYahoo Sports — Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom, Royce White ineligible to play in WNBA, sources say
  • 7:09 PMYahoo Sports — WNBA rules on Enes Kanter Freedom, Royce White draft eligibility
  • 6:25 PMFrontofficesports.com — Enes Kanter Freedom, Royce White Not Eligible to Play in WNBA - Front Office Sports
What they're saying
"

Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are not eligible for the WNBA draft, a person familiar with the decision said Monday. Freedom and White have declared their intention to enter next year's draft, but the WNBA has not publicly addressed their eligibility. The WNBA has been the subject of recent debates on whether transgender women — people assigned male at birth who transition to align with their gender identity — should be allowed to participate in the league.

"

A controversial eligibility ruling sparked a massive legal and cultural debate among WNBA Fans today. The online conversation started after a major news outlet reported on two former NBA players declaring for the professional draft and immediately getting shut down by league officials. The New York Post (@nypost) posted the viral update, writing: “Enes Kanter, [...]

"

NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are not eligible for the WNBA draft, a person familiar with the decision said Monday.

Related Teams & Leagues
Boston CelticsOrlando MagicLas Vegas AcesNew York LibertyHouston RocketsUtah JazzChicago SkyWNBABasketball

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days