Kanter and White declare for WNBA Draft amid controversy
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 12, 2026, 6:34 AM
Last updated Aug 12, 2026
Former NBA players Enes Kanter and Royce White declared for the 2026 WNBA Draft, aiming to exploit the league's ambiguous eligibility rules. Their move is part of a broader movement against the inclusion of trans athletes in women's sports, following comments from Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham. Ty Lawson, a nine-year NBA veteran, criticized Kanter and White on social media, labeling their actions as 'weird.' Despite the declaration, it remains unclear if either player will secure a draft spot, with speculation about potential legal complications stemming from their non-drafted status. The WNBA plans to address the eligibility definition in its collective bargaining agreement but indicated that clarification may take time.
- •Enes Kanter and Royce White declared for the 2026 WNBA Draft.
- •The declaration sparks debate on trans athletes in women's sports.
- •Ty Lawson criticized the move on social media.
- •Legal issues may arise if Kanter and White are undrafted.
- •The WNBA plans to clarify eligibility definitions soon.
- 7:47 AMYahoo Sports — WNBA’s true feelings on Enes Kanter, Royce White Draft declaration revealed by reporter
- 6:34 AMYahoo Sports — Nine-year NBA veteran PG slams Enes Kanter and Royce White’s WNBA Draft declaration
"Former NBA veterans Enes Kanter and Royce White declared their entry into the 2026 WNBA Draft to exploit the league’s ambiguous eligibility rules. Their declaration came as part of a larger movement to limit the inclusion of trans athletes into women’s sports, specifically the WNBA, after Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham raised the same issue.
"The WNBA isn’t fazed by former NBA players Enes Kanter and Royce White declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft. The recent debate on trans athletes playing in the WNBA took a surprising turn when former NBA center Enes Kanter declared his intentions to play in the WNBA through the 2027 Draft.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 13, 2026, 7:47 AMWNBA’s true feelings on Enes Kanter, Royce White Draft declaration revealed by reporter
The WNBA isn’t fazed by former NBA players Enes Kanter and Royce White declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft. The recent debate on trans athletes playing in the WNBA took a surprising turn when former NBA center Enes Kanter declared his intentions to play in the WNBA through the 2027 Draft.
- Yahoo SportsAug 12, 2026, 6:34 AMNine-year NBA veteran PG slams Enes Kanter and Royce White’s WNBA Draft declaration
Former NBA veterans Enes Kanter and Royce White declared their entry into the 2026 WNBA Draft to exploit the league’s ambiguous eligibility rules. Their declaration came as part of a larger movement to limit the inclusion of trans athletes into women’s sports, specifically the WNBA, after Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham raised the same issue.
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