Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom appeared on Fox News’ “My View with Lara Trump” on Saturday to announce his intention to declare for the WNBA draft. Freedom said his move is meant to compel the league to define what constitutes a “biological female” for competition purposes.
Why Freedom Is Acting
Kanter cited the public support shown by Golden State Valkyries star Gabby Williams and Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, who wore shirts reading “trans kids belong.” He argued that, unlike other major sports leagues that have added language such as “biological female” or “born female” to their collective bargaining agreements, the WNBA has yet to include any such clarification.
“The WNBA has no idea what they’re about to face. They’re still trying to figure out what a woman is,” Kanter said. “Let’s see what kind of rules they’re going to come up with.” He added that the lack of clear policy could affect the league’s reputation and its ability to secure endorsement deals.
Player and Coach Reactions
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has spoken out against allowing trans women to compete against cisgender females, was praised by Kanter as an “American hero.” Cunningham told ESPN that she receives both criticism and support, emphasizing her desire to protect young girls in locker rooms from competing against biological men.
Several rallies have been held before WNBA games in support of Cunningham, including a recent demonstration before the Fever’s matchup with the New York Liberty.
League Response
The WNBA confirmed that its officials have met to discuss the trans athlete issue and issued a statement saying the conversation is ongoing. The league accused some media outlets of sowing division and called out what it described as “bad‑faith” attempts to undermine the organization.
OutKick reached out to the league for comment, but no further details were provided at the time of publication.
Implications for the Draft
Kanter claimed he could become the “best draft pick in WNBA history,” suggesting that his presence could generate significant media attention and potential endorsement revenue for the league.
While the WNBA has not confirmed any changes to its eligibility rules, the public debate sparked by Kanter’s announcement may prompt the league to revisit its policies ahead of the upcoming season.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
