Enes Kanter Freedom, Royce White Not Eligible to Play in WNBA

Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are not eligible to play in the WNBA, league sources tell Front Office Sports.

In recent weeks, Freedom and White, two former NBA players, both declared their intention to enter the 2027 WNBA draft, claiming they identify as women. A league source called the recent declarations of the two men “simply publicity stunts” and said that the league is “not going to give oxygen to efforts designed to mock the league or use this topic to demean and marginalize others.”

League sources also say that the WNBA does not have any legitimate and immediate eligibility matters that require action. The league will continue to discuss the topic, but it “will not allow outside pressure or manufactured controversy to dictate league processes,” the source said.

The WNBA’s eligibility rules are collectively bargained. The league’s new collective bargaining agreement has one line regarding gender eligibility, in Article XIII Section 1 (a), which reads: “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.” The CBA does not include any language around gender identity or gender assigned at birth.

On Sunday, Freedom attended the Indiana Fever–Chicago Sky game in Chicago and sat courtside. In the third quarter, Freedom had a verbal altercation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. 

Cloud appeared to shout toward the baseline where Freedom was seated. Freedom stood up and raised his arms before he was immediately restrained by security and removed from the arena.

Minutes afterward, Freedom was surrounded by security in the landing area. “I’m supporting women, and that is the reason they are kicking me out. That’s unacceptable,” Freedom, 34, told security, as witnessed by FOS. 

Cloud did not speak to the media after the game, but a Sky spokesperson told FOS afterward that the 11-year WNBA veteran spoke to league and team security.

It’s not immediately clear whether Freedom is allowed to return to WNBA arenas.