Former NBA players declare for WNBA draft amid trans athlete debate
Former NBA players Enes Freedom and Royce White declare for the 2027 WNBA draft to challenge the league’s gender eligibility rules. Barstool Sports writer Jack Mack joins to analyze the potential impact of their declarations on women’s sports policies. The former first-round picks challenge the league to clearly define its requirements for female athletes.
The debate over transgender athletes competing against women has become the biggest story in the WNBA.
Last month, a quote from Sophie Cunningham was released in an article in which she said “young girls…shouldn’t have to go against biological men” in sports.
“I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men,” Cunningham said.
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UConn head coach Geno Auriemma reacts to a play during the first half of a Sweet 16 game of the NCAA college basketball tournament against North Carolina in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 27, 2026. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)
But legendary women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma is downplaying the entire conversation.
“Well, not to belittle it at all because I don’t mean to because listen, you know, people have a right to their opinion. I get it. But why are we making a big issue over an issue that doesn’t exist?” Auriemma told TMZ Sports.
“I don’t remember reading where there’s transsexual players in the WNBA. I don’t remember reading where they were being presented with cases where this is going to happen next week. I don’t see an issue. Why are we making it an issue?” he continued. “We’re making it an issue because there’s enough people out there that need this to be an issue for their own personal gain.”
Auriemma said people’s attention is in the wrong direction when it comes to the WNBA, which has now seen former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declare for the draft, claiming they meet the requirements to play in the league.
“I think we should talk about the players. We should talk about the teams. We should talk about the incredible young group of players that have come into the league. We should talk about how incredible some of these teams are,” Auriemma said.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 06: Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies celebrates with the net after beating the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59 to win the National Championship of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on April 06, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) ((Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images))
WNBPA ISSUES STATEMENT EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AMID TRANS ATHLETE DEBATE IN WOMEN’S SPORTS
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a letter to teams last week addressing concerns over the inclusion of transgender athletes in the league after Freedom and White made their moves.
“We recognize that this is a complex and nuanced topic, and we will continue to have important conversations with all of you and the Players Association in the weeks and months ahead,” Engelbert said in the memo. “We also plan to convene additional discussions and offer listening sessions for any team leaders who would like to participate. Your perspectives and feedback are invaluable, and I appreciate those who have already reached out to share their thoughts.”
The WNBA players’ association also released a statement on social media Friday that emphasized diversity and inclusion while saying the group “will not be used as political pawns.”
Four head coaches have gone on record with responses to questions about the issue, with two of them, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve and Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, appearing to support the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports.
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve reacts in the second half against the Indiana Fever at Target Center on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. (Star Tribune via Getty Images)
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The exact number of trans athletes competing against girls and women is not known, but NCAA President Charlie Baker said in early 2025 that he knew of fewer than 10 in college sports.
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.