Show notes
Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom said Friday he is declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft, saying he has examined the league’s eligibility rules and believes they make him eligible — a claim that is not supported by the WNBA’s published rules.
In a video posted to X, Mr. Freedom, wearing an orange WNBA-branded sweatshirt, said his team had “carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion.”
“Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027,” he said.
The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement does not contain a self-identification standard. Article XIII, Section 1(a) of the 409-page agreement states only that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” and does not define “woman” or address gender identity anywhere in the document, according to an OutKick report. Neither the WNBA nor the players’ union has publicly clarified how eligibility would be determined for a transgender or self-identified player, the outlet reported.
Freedom, an 11-year NBA veteran and the third overall pick of the 2011 draft, said he was not trying to mock anyone.
“I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices,” he said, adding that he wants the WNBA’s rules “applied equally, consistently, and without exception.”
The post is capitalizing on controversy surrounding remarks from Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who said in a July ESPN profile that she wants to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to compete against biological men, while maintaining she does not “hate trans” people. The remarks have prompted rallies and counter-rallies outside WNBA arenas, and Cunningham addressed the fallout again this week, telling a USA Network broadcast that she wants “love and respect” to remain even amid disagreement, while lamenting that the debate has overshadowed the basketball itself, according to an OutKick report.
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