Royce White seeks to enter 2027 WNBA Draft as transgender athlete
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 11, 2026, 10:04 AM
Last updated Aug 11, 2026
Royce White, a former NBA player and current Republican Senate candidate in Minnesota, announced intentions to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, following Enes Kanter Freedom's similar declaration. White identifies as a transgender woman for the purpose of basketball and stated he believes he could excel in the league. The WNBA currently enforces a policy that only allows female players to compete, prompting discussions about the eligibility of transgender athletes in women's sports. White indicated he would reconsider participation if the WNBA clarifies its rules regarding male players. His statement and Kanter Freedom's have gained traction in political discussions online.
- •Royce White declares for the 2027 WNBA Draft
- •White identifies as a transgender woman for basketball
- •No male or transgender player has played in the WNBA
- •Controversy surrounding transgender athletes continues following recent statements
- •Debate fueled by right-wing influencers on social media
- 10:04 AMYahoo Sports — NBA analysts slam Enes Kanter for ‘jumping’ on WNBA trans athlete debate for clicks
- 2:21 AMYahoo Sports — Who is Enes Kanter, the man jumping into the WNBA transgender debate?
- 6:44 PMYahoo Sports — A second ex-NBA first-round pick eyes WNBA Draft: ‘I’m transgender. I’m a woman’
"Enes Kanter recently declared himself for the WNBA Draft amid the trans athlete debate, and it has not sat well with two NBA analysts. Kanter has been out of the NBA for a few years now, with some suggesting that his political comments landed him in hot water with league officials.
"Former Utah Jazz first-rounder is one of two men saying they are eligible for the 2027 WNBA draft
"He joins Enes Kanter Freedom in stating his intention to enter the league.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 11, 2026, 10:04 AMNBA analysts slam Enes Kanter for ‘jumping’ on WNBA trans athlete debate for clicks
Enes Kanter recently declared himself for the WNBA Draft amid the trans athlete debate, and it has not sat well with two NBA analysts. Kanter has been out of the NBA for a few years now, with some suggesting that his political comments landed him in hot water with league officials.
- Yahoo SportsAug 11, 2026, 2:21 AMWho is Enes Kanter, the man jumping into the WNBA transgender debate?
Former Utah Jazz first-rounder is one of two men saying they are eligible for the 2027 WNBA draft
- Yahoo SportsAug 8, 2026, 6:44 PMA second ex-NBA first-round pick eyes WNBA Draft: ‘I’m transgender. I’m a woman’
He joins Enes Kanter Freedom in stating his intention to enter the league.
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