Pair of former NBA players declare eligibility for 2027 WNBA draft

Former NBA player Royce White.

Two former NBA players have declared plans to enter the WNBA draft next year, testing the league's vaguely-worded policy about who is eligible to play women's basketball at a time when a majority of WNBA players and coaches are expressing support for so-called transgender athletes. 

Former NBA player Royce White, 35, whose brief career in the league lasted just three games, joined Enes Kanter Freedom, who was the first ex-NBA player to declare for the 2027 draft. Freedom, who is 34 years old, averaged 11.2 points per game over his 11-year career in the NBA.

Both players have suggested that they identify as women, particularly for the purposes of playing professional basketball, and say they meet the league's vague eligibility requirement, which doesn't define a woman or contain language prohibited a biological male who identifies as a woman, from competing. 

White is also running as a Republican in Minnesota's senate primary on Tuesday, and may be declaring for the draft to capitalize on publicity and make a point that many are making about protecting women's sports from being invaded by men who say their women. He posted a photo of himself wearing wig on social media Sunday, saying he's entered his "feminine era glowup" and that he wants to "play some hoops with my fellow ladies"

Freedom appears to be doing something similar, although he has been very earnest in his social media posts, saying on Monday that he has "officially declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft."

The WNBA in recent weeks has been mired in controversy over many of its players and coaches expressing support for transgender athletes in interviews they've given. One player to notably take the opposite position, insisting men should stay out of women's sports, is Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham. Since making her remarks, she's been targeted in games with increasingly violent fouls. 

Meanwhile, the league is trying to grapple with the growing controversy on the executive level. According to The Associated Press, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo to team owners saying the league is convening a series of meetings to determine, among other things, what exactly a woman is and who exactly is eligible to play WNBA basketball. Below, watch Freedom's social media video declaring his eligibility for the next draft. 

Outkick founder Clay Travis said Freedom's gambit has been brilliant because it could ultimately force the WNBA to take a firm stance on what exactly constitutes being a woman. Watch Travis' full analysis below.