The WNBA has confirmed that former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are not eligible to participate in the league despite their recent declarations identifying as women and their intentions to enter the 2027 WNBA draft. Sources within the league characterized these declarations as publicity stunts and emphasized that the WNBA will not entertain actions meant to mock the league or diminish others. The WNBA’s eligibility rules, established through the collective bargaining agreement, clearly state that only women are eligible to play, without specific provisions regarding gender identity or sex assigned at birth.

In a recent incident, Enes Kanter Freedom attended a WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, where he was ejected following a verbal confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. After standing up and raising his arms in response to Cloud’s comments, Freedom was quickly removed from the arena by security. He later claimed his removal was due to his support for women, arguing that it was “unacceptable” to be kicked out on that basis. The league and team officials have not clarified if Freedom will be allowed to attend future WNBA games.

The WNBA source indicated that the league currently has no urgent eligibility issues to address but will continue discussions on the topic without yielding to external pressures or manufactured controversies. The league intends to maintain its process based on the agreed-upon collective bargaining terms, reinforcing its commitment to uphold standards that protect the integrity and inclusiveness of women’s professional basketball. The simplicity of the eligibility clause reflects the league’s current focus amid ongoing public and media scrutiny surrounding gender issues in sports.

This situation highlights ongoing tensions regarding gender identity and sports eligibility, especially in the context of professional women’s leagues. The incidents involving Freedom and White have brought increased attention to the WNBA’s policies and approach, underscoring the balance leagues face between inclusivity, fairness, and maintaining the competitive structure of women’s sports. How the WNBA navigates these challenges will be critical as social and legal debates over gender and athletics continue to evolve in the sporting world.