Male basketball players aiming to enter the WNBA Draft are encountering uncertainty regarding their eligibility.
Two former NBA athletes, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, have announced plans to compete against women in 2027.
However, after Freedom’s ejection from a Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever game last Sunday, league sources have complicated their intentions.
While there has been no official statement from the WNBA, “multiple sources” informed that both players are ineligible to participate in the WNBA despite their claims of eligibility for the draft.
Amidst this, former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz from Florida has stepped in, legally representing White and issuing a warning to the WNBA about preserving all relevant records.
“The WNBA has not notified [White] or our legal team about any decisions regarding draft eligibility, which should be standard procedure for them,” Gaetz stated. “The league should keep all records in light of potential litigation.”
If this situation escalates to court, the WNBA’s communication concerning White’s eligibility may become significant evidence.
In a video shared by Gaetz, White, sporting a wig, criticized the WNBA for denying his “trans existence,” labeling it as “completely bigoted.”
White has also made remarks that mock the transgender movement, earlier asserting that “to continue to deny black transgender lesbians is tantamount to genocide.”
In contrast, Freedom’s protests have been more straightforward. At a recent WNBA game, he wore a shirt stating, “WOMAN noun. adult human female,” and argued that existing rules should allow him to play.
“If they don’t establish a new rule, I’m prepared to play by May and get ready for the draft in April,” Freedom commented. “These are the rules they’ve set; I’m just following them.”
While sources indicate the WNBA is aware of this situation, no formal statements regarding male eligibility have been released.
The league recently discussed these concerns but concluded that “no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA” exist.
According to the WNBA’s 2026 collective-bargaining agreement, “only players who are women are eligible to play,” yet the league hasn’t clarified what constitutes a woman.
