WNBA confirms Enes Kanter ineligible to join league as player
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 25, 2026, 6:22 AM
Last updated Aug 25, 2026
The WNBA announced that Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White will not be allowed to play in the league. This ruling follows their declarations that they identify as women. The decision emerges amid ongoing controversies regarding politics and transgender athlete participation in women’s sports, particularly surrounding protests before games involving the Indiana Fever. Kanter, who has recently pivoted to political commentary, has voiced support for these issues, aligning himself with prominent right-wing figures. The WNBA has not issued a statement regarding Kanter's attendance at future games after he was ejected from a recent game in Chicago against the Indiana Fever.
- •Enes Kanter Freedom declared himself a woman for eligibility in the WNBA.
- •The WNBA confirmed Kanter and Royce White are ineligible to play.
- •Political protests surrounding transgender issues are active before Indiana Fever games.
- •Kanter has become a prominent figure in right-wing sports discussions.
- •Kanter was ejected from a game in Chicago against the Indiana Fever.
- 6:22 AMYahoo Sports — Donald Trump-associated policy institute collaborating with Enes Kanter amid WNBA controversy
- 4:51 AMYahoo Sports — WNBA Ruling On Enes Kanter Joining League Revealed
"The WNBA is involved in various controversies surrounding politics after Sophie Cunningham became a sports hero to right wing political figures. Protests against transgender athletes in women’s sports have become common before road Indiana Fever games in support of Cunningham, despite no trans players currently playing in the WNBA. Former NBA role player Enes Kanter […] The post WNBA Ruling On Enes Kanter Joining League Revealed appeared first on HEAVY.
"As Enes Kanter continues to spark controversy in the WNBA with his quest to enter the league as a ‘trans woman,’ he has the backing of one organisation with ties to Donald Trump. Kanter has proclaimed that he identifies as a trans woman and will be making the jump to the WNBA through the 2027 Draft, as the scrutiny surrounding the league intensifies following Sophie Cunningham’s comments.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 25, 2026, 6:22 AMDonald Trump-associated policy institute collaborating with Enes Kanter amid WNBA controversy
As Enes Kanter continues to spark controversy in the WNBA with his quest to enter the league as a ‘trans woman,’ he has the backing of one organisation with ties to Donald Trump. Kanter has proclaimed that he identifies as a trans woman and will be making the jump to the WNBA through the 2027 Draft, as the scrutiny surrounding the league intensifies following Sophie Cunningham’s comments.
- Yahoo SportsAug 25, 2026, 4:51 AMWNBA Ruling On Enes Kanter Joining League Revealed
The WNBA is involved in various controversies surrounding politics after Sophie Cunningham became a sports hero to right wing political figures. Protests against transgender athletes in women’s sports have become common before road Indiana Fever games in support of Cunningham, despite no trans players currently playing in the WNBA. Former NBA role player Enes Kanter […] The post WNBA Ruling On Enes Kanter Joining League Revealed appeared first on HEAVY.
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