The transgender debate continues to divide the WNBA. Now, former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom has weighed in on the debate, mocking the current rules regarding a potential entry into next year’s draft.
In an Instagram video that Freedom posted on his private account on Friday evening (German time), he announced his entry for the 2027 draft in a style typical of draft announcements: “After careful consideration and review of the current eligibility requirements, I hereby officially declare myself a WNBA draft prospect.”
The sarcastic post refers to the WNBA’s current eligibility requirements for players. According to these rules, self-identifying as a woman is sufficient to participate in the league. “If a simple self-declaration is already enough, then I meet every single requirement to compete in the WNBA,” Freedom continued.
After careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines,
I’m officially declaring myself a @WNBA prospect.If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA.
My team and I have… pic.twitter.com/msncUZUT1J
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) August 7, 2026
Later in the video, the longtime NBA player explained that he did not intend to mock the trans community or be disrespectful toward it. Nevertheless, he continued his sarcastic monologue afterward and called on the league to apply its standards of inclusion to him as well.
The video comes at a time of massive polarization surrounding the transgender issue in professional women’s sports. Just a few months earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court had partially barred transgender athletes from participating in their sports. The debate spilled over into the WNBA after Fever player Sophie Cunningham spoke out critically about the inclusion of transgender athletes.
