"I identify as a woman": Two former NBA players fuel controversy by stating they want to join the women's WNBA team

Amidst the controversy surrounding the place of transgender athletes in basketball, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have stated that they are candidates for a place in a women's franchise in the United States.

The controversy surrounding the presence of transgender athletes in the prestigious American basketball league (WNBA) continues to grow. Following the firm stance taken by Sophie Cunningham (Indiana Fever), one of the league's biggest stars, against the presence on the court of "biological men" who have become transgender players in order to "protect little girls in the locker room," two former NBA players have taken a position with a certain sense of provocation.

“ I meet all the necessary requirements to compete in the WNBA.”

A key player in the North American league between 2011 and 2022, Enes Kanter Freedom released a video officially announcing his candidacy to join a women's team: "If simply stating who you are is enough to meet all the requirements, then I fulfill every single one of the necessary conditions to compete in the WNBA. My team and I have thoroughly analyzed the WNBA's eligibility criteria as well as the regulatory framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion. Based on the current guidelines, I can and officially declare my eligibility for the April 2027 WNBA draft," the former Oklahoma City star stated.

Royce White, a Trump supporter, is also a candidate

Royce White has a far less prestigious NBA background, having played only a few games with Sacramento between 2013 and 2014, but he too has adopted the position of the former Turkish center. A Trump supporter, he announced his intention to become a WNBA star: “I am now transgender. I am going to try for a career in the WNBA… I identify as a transgender woman. I want to be treated fairly and I refuse any discrimination. This is a serious project. After 35 years, I realize that I am a woman,” he explained, before announcing his upcoming candidacy for a Senate seat: “Royce White, candidate for U.S. Senate (Minnesota) in 2026! First transgender senator!”

The WNBA is divided on the issue of transgender players.

These stances will only fuel the controversy across the Atlantic. The WNBA, unlike other leagues, has not banned transgender players. Several WNBA players and coaches have indicated that they would welcome transgender athletes, while others, like Sophie Cunningham, one of the biggest stars in the WNBA and on social media, are firmly opposed.