Royce White Joins the WNBA Draft Test
Former NBA player Royce White said Friday that he plans to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft. White, who is also a current Republican Senate candidate in Minnesota, wrote that he identifies as “a sometimes identifying transgender woman” and added, “My wig is in the mail.” That is not exactly the standard draft announcement from a gym with balloons and a school hat, but this is 2026, so the rulebook now comes with a philosophy seminar attached.
White Says A Denial Could Lead To Court
White told Fox News Digital that he would pursue legal action if the WNBA denies his bid. “I have to file a discrimination lawsuit, right?” he said, adding that there would have to be “a huge legal battle about discrimination” if he cannot play. According to Fox News, White said the only thing that would stop the effort is if the WNBA makes a “definitive statement” that males cannot play in the league. In other words, the league may need to do the terrifying work of saying what its rules mean in plain English.
White Touts His Basketball Case
White was a first-round NBA Draft pick in 2012 and played college basketball at Iowa State University. He told Fox News Digital, “I’m transgender. I’m a woman. I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball, professional basketball, so I’ll be declaring for the WNBA draft in 2027 as well.” He also said he thinks he would be “unstoppable,” while calling himself a team-first and pass-first player. White pointed to leading his Iowa State team in all five major stat categories and said, “I think it’s only fair.”
Enes Kanter Freedom Made A Similar Announcement
Earlier Friday, former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom also announced a bid for the 2027 WNBA Draft. “If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA,” Freedom said. He added that his team had reviewed the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework on self-identification and inclusion, and said he was “officially declaring” eligibility for the April 2027 draft. The message was clear: if the policy door is open, do not act surprised when people walk through it wearing sneakers.
The WNBA Now Faces A Rules Question
There are now two former NBA players publicly saying they plan to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft under claims tied to gender identity. The issue is no longer just a campus panel topic or a corporate diversity slide with soft music in the background. It is a direct test of league eligibility rules, self-identification standards, and women’s sports policy. The WNBA can respond with clarity, or it can let lawyers, activists, and media panels do what they do best: turn a simple question into a long invoice.
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