Katie Falkingham

Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have said they will enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, highlighting the league’s vague rule that only women are eligible to play. The controversy began after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham argued that women’s sport should be protected from transgender athletes, prompting political support, protests and criticism. The WNBPA reaffirmed its opposition to abuse of transgender people, while players and coaches expressed differing views. The WNBA has not publicly detailed its policy but is expected to discuss eligibility with team presidents, amid broader moves by sports governing bodies and US authorities toward restricting transgender women’s participation.