Former NBA players Royce White and Enes Kanter Freedom have declared themselves transgender in an attempt to compete in the WNBA. White, a 6-foot-8 Iowa State forward, and Freedom, a 6-foot-10-inch former center, claim they meet the requirements to compete in the women’s league.
WNBA Response
The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement states that only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA, but does not provide a definition of a woman. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has promised ongoing discussions around transgender athletes in women’s basketball.
Some WNBA players and coaches have come out in support of transgender athletes, including Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve. However, others have expressed concerns about the participation of biological men in women’s sports.
Debate Over Transgender Athletes
The debate over transgender athletes has been reignited after Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever expressed concerns about protecting young girls in sports. The issue has sparked a national conversation about the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Original reporting: WMAL (Washington DC) — read the source article.
