Former NBA player Royce White says he is declaring for next WNBA Draft after Enes Kanter announcement
Former NBA player Royce White announced a campaign for the 2028 United States presidency while maintaining his intent to enter the 2027 WNBA draft. White, who recently lost a second bid for the Minnesota Senate, identified as a woman to declare eligibility for the draft. He describes his pursuit as a way to address the debate over transgender athletes in sports. This move follows a similar declaration by former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, as both seek to enter the 2027 draft cycle.
What changed
Royce White announced a 2028 presidential run following a failed Minnesota Senate primary.
Live updates
-
Royce White Launches 2028 Presidential Bid Amid WNBA Draft Pursuit
Former NBA player Royce White announced a campaign for the 2028 United States presidency while maintaining his intent to enter the 2027 WNBA draft. White, who recently lost a second bid for the Minnesota Senate, identified as a woman to declare eligibility for the draft. He describes his pursuit as a way to address the debate over transgender athletes in sports. This move follows a similar declaration by former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, as both seek to enter the 2027 draft cycle.
Why it matters
The WNBA currently has no openly transgender women players. Recent comments from Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham regarding transgender participation have increased political tension surrounding the league's eligibility rules.
What is confirmed
- Royce White and Enes Kanter Freedom declared their intent to enter the 2027 WNBA draft.
- Royce White is running as a Republican candidate in Minnesota.
- Royce White announced plans to run for the 2028 United States presidency.
Still unconfirmed
- Royce White has threatened legal action if he is barred from playing in the WNBA.
What to watch next
- Official WNBA ruling on the eligibility of White and Freedom for the 2027 draft
- Legal filings from White regarding draft entry requirements
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (7)
- sports.yahoo.com — Royce White reveals whether he’s spoken to Donald Trump about his WNBA bid
- sports.yahoo.com — Royce White predicts the outcome of his WNBA bid after speaking to his legal team
- www.yardbarker.com — 'Having a Blast in My Feminine Era': Former NBA Player Royce White Addresses Backlash Over 2027 WNBA Draft Declaration
- www.yardbarker.com — Ex-NBA Star Royce White Launches 2028 Presidential Bid After WNBA Declaration and MVP Ambitions
- consent.yahoo.com — Ex-NBA player was crushed in Senate primary – so now he’s running for president instead
- sports.yahoo.com — Dwight Howard’s former teammate has a ‘simple’ solution to end trans athletes in WNBA debate
- sports.yahoo.com — The WNBA ‘felt like a lifeline’ for LGBTQ+ fans. Anti-trans attacks are testing that refuge.
-
Former NBA Players Royce White and Enes Kanter Freedom Declare for WNBA Draft
Former NBA players Royce White and Enes Kanter Freedom have declared their intent to enter the WNBA draft. Freedom is seeking entry for the 2027 draft as a transgender athlete, citing eligibility rules. White followed Freedom's announcement, stating he will enter the draft to send a message amid ongoing debates over transgender athletes in sports. White has threatened legal action if he is barred from playing and claimed his wig is in the mail. The WNBA has responded passively to Freedom's bid while the WNBPA emphasizes inclusion.
Why it matters
The declarations occur during a heated debate regarding transgender athletes, specifically following backlash involving player Sophie Cunningham. The WNBA union has denounced transgender hate while some former players use these declarations to mock league policies.
What is confirmed
- Enes Kanter Freedom has declared himself a 2027 WNBA prospect as a transgender athlete.
- Royce White announced he is declaring for the WNBA draft.
- Both Freedom and White are former NBA first-round picks.
- The WNBPA has emphasized inclusion amid the focus on transgender athletes.
Still unconfirmed
- Royce White threatened legal action if he is not allowed to play.
- Royce White stated his wig is in the mail.
What to watch next
- Formal response from the WNBA regarding the 2027 draft application of Enes Kanter Freedom.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (34)
- Washington Times — Enes Kanter Freedom declares himself 2027 WNBA prospect, cites eligibility rules
- PennLive.com — Ex-NBA first-round pick says he is entering WNBA Draft: ‘See you at training camp’
- ESPN — WNBPA emphasizes inclusion amidst focus on transgender athletes
- katu.com — Ex-NBA player mocks WNBA's trans policies
- Yahoo Sports — WNBA passively responds to Enes Kanter’s bid to join in 2027
- The New York Times — WNBA union denounces transgender hate following Sophie Cunningham backlash
- Fox News — Former NBA player Royce White says he is declaring for next WNBA Draft after Enes Kanter announcement
- NewsNation — Enes Kanter Freedom declares for 2027 WNBA Draft
- WJLA — 'My wig is in the mail': Royce White says he'll enter WNBA draft amid trans athlete debate
- News.com.au — Storm erupts as 208cm star joins WNBA
- heavy.com — Former Knicks Center Makes Unexpected WNBA Declaration Amid Heated Debate
- fox.com — Watch This is the ultimate ‘playing chicken’ moment, commentator says - FNC
-
Former NBA Players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White Declare for WNBA Draft
Former NBA first-round picks Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have declared their intent to enter the WNBA Draft. Kanter Freedom is seeking entry for the 2027 draft as a transgender athlete, citing eligibility rules. White announced his declaration following Kanter Freedom's move, stating, "My wig is in the mail" and "See you at training camp." Both moves occur amid an intense debate over transgender athletes in professional sports, with White threatening legal action if he is barred from playing.
Why it matters
The declarations follow a period of tension involving the WNBPA and public backlash surrounding player Sophie Cunningham. The WNBA union has denounced transgender hate and called the current debate exhausting. These declarations challenge the league's gender policies and eligibility requirements.
What is confirmed
- Enes Kanter Freedom has declared himself a 2027 WNBA prospect as a transgender athlete.
- Royce White has declared his intention to enter the WNBA Draft.
- Both Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are former NBA first-round picks.
- The WNBPA has emphasized inclusion and denounced transgender hate amid the current debate.
Still unconfirmed
- Royce White has threatened legal action if he is not allowed to play in the WNBA.
- The WNBA has responded passively to Enes Kanter Freedom's bid to join in 2027.
What to watch next
- Official ruling from the WNBA on the eligibility of Kanter Freedom and White
- Potential legal filings from Royce White regarding league entry
- Formal response from the WNBPA regarding the specific draft declarations
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (34)
- Washington Times — Enes Kanter Freedom declares himself 2027 WNBA prospect, cites eligibility rules
- PennLive.com — Ex-NBA first-round pick says he is entering WNBA Draft: ‘See you at training camp’
- ESPN — WNBPA emphasizes inclusion amidst focus on transgender athletes
- katu.com — Ex-NBA player mocks WNBA's trans policies
- Yahoo Sports — WNBA passively responds to Enes Kanter’s bid to join in 2027
- The New York Times — WNBA union denounces transgender hate following Sophie Cunningham backlash
- Fox News — Former NBA player Royce White says he is declaring for next WNBA Draft after Enes Kanter announcement
- NewsNation — Enes Kanter Freedom declares for 2027 WNBA Draft
- WJLA — 'My wig is in the mail': Royce White says he'll enter WNBA draft amid trans athlete debate
- News.com.au — Storm erupts as 208cm star joins WNBA
- heavy.com — Former Knicks Center Makes Unexpected WNBA Declaration Amid Heated Debate
- fox.com — Watch This is the ultimate ‘playing chicken’ moment, commentator says - FNC