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Ex-NBA Players SHAME The WNBA Into Holding A Meeting To Define What A Woman Is

You'd think that the WNBA understands what the "W" in WNBA is.

Photo of K. Walker K. WalkerAugust 10, 2026
457 5 minutes read

Two former NBA players have publicly declared themselves WNBA prospects.

Enes Kanter Freedom, 34, a 3rd overall 2011 draft pick by the Utah Jazz who played with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Portland Trailblazers, and Oklahoma City Thunder throughout his career has announced that he is ready to return to the court as a member of the WNBA.

In a video posted on X on Friday, Freedom, a 6’10” 250 lb Center, says that he has reviewed the WNBA rules and there is nothing in there that prevents him from declaring himself a prospect.

On Monday, Freedom made it official.

Following Freedom’s stunning and brave announcement, Royce White, 35, a first round NBA pick in 2012 and a current Republican candidate for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat, has announced that he would also like to play ball with the girls. He added that he “identifies as sometimes identifying as transgender for the purpose of professional basketball.” White has gone further and said that he doesn’t want to be discriminated against.

The WNBA’s 2026 collective bargaining agreement says in Article XIII that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA” but the 409-page document never clearly defines “women” nor does it clarify what precisely the policy is in relation to transgender women ie. biological men who want to live as women.

White, a sometimes-identifying-as-transgender-for-the-purposes-of-basketball male who is 6’8″ and 260 lbs has already started picking out his accessories. Oh, sorry. When related to b-ball, that should be her accessories.

After the announcements by Freedom and White, the WNBA issued a statement that, “Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people only fuel fear, division, and harm.” It goes on to say that they will “continue to have hard conversations” but they “refuse to be political pawns.”

Later that day, a memo was sent to WNBA teams from the league’s commissioner that a “task force” will be discussing how the league will approach transgender athletes.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo to teams that addresses ongoing discussions around transgender athletes in women’s basketball.

“I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention,” Engelbert wrote in the memo, which was sent Friday afternoon and obtained by The Associated Press and ESPN. “I wanted to reach out to share how we are approaching these conversations at the league office and to thank those of you who have responded to questions from the media with thoughtfulness and professionalism.”

The memo said the topic will be discussed further by a task force of team presidents and general managers at a previously scheduled meeting next week.
Source: ESPN

The announcements by Freedom and White come amid the league’s criticism of Indiana Fever star, Sophie Cunningham, who has spoken out about the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sport.

As Cunningham’s star is rising for her commitment to reality, players and coaches have pushed back on her stance and insist that trans-identifying males shouldn’t be excluded from women’s sport.

Here is Natalie Nakase, Head Coach of the Golden State Valkyries saying that she embraces boys and men competing in girls’ and women’s sport because sports are all about inclusivity.

Are these large, athletic men trolling the WNBA? Definitely. But the league only brought it on itself. And as White said in a Fox News interview over the weekend, it would probably boost attendance at games.

The issue is a real one.
This is precisely what is needed to end this absurdity that is an existential threat to women’s sport. The entire point of female-only leagues was to allow women to play against each other on a level playing field.

As for the WNBA not being used as “political pawns”, well, that’s difficult when some players are sporting tees like this:

Freedom and White’s announcements are clearly upsetting all the right people.

And of course, behold the memes:

As for Enes Kantor Freedom and Royce White’s WNBA dreams, I say, “You go, girls!”

Photo of K. Walker K. WalkerAugust 10, 2026
457 5 minutes read
Photo of K. Walker

K. Walker

ClashDaily's Associate Editor since August 2016. Self-described political junkie, anti-Third Wave Feminist, and a nightmare to the 'intersectional' crowd. Mrs. Walker has taken a stand against 'white privilege' education in public schools. She's also an amateur Playwright, former Drama teacher, and staunch defender of the Oxford comma. Follow her humble musings on Twitter: @TheMrsKnowItAll and on Gettr @KarenWalker
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