Ostracized ex-NBA star 'declares for WNBA Draft' amid Sophie Cunningham trans debate
Ostracized ex-NBA star 'declares for WNBA Draft' amid Sophie Cunningham trans debate
Jeremy Goldstein Fri, August 7, 2026 at 9:15 PM UTC
0
Enes Kanter Freedom claims he wants to play in the WNBA -Credit:X/Enes Kanter Freedom
Former No. 3 NBA Draft pick Enes Kanter Freedom, 34, has drifted into right-wing media circles following the conclusion of his professional basketball career, regularly appearing on FOX News as the sports talking head.
Freedom, perhaps hoping to capitalize on the media chatter around Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's comments on trans athletes in women's sports, threw his hat into the ring.
The 11-year NBA professional released a lengthy statement on his X account declaring his intentions to play in the WNBA, saying he is "not here to mock" but wishes the league's "current rules be applied to everyone." It comes as a WNBA star said she would "welcome a trans athlete on my team."
• Fever fans make feelings crystal clear on Sophie Cunningham after becoming WNBA public enemy
• Caitlin Clark assigns blame after embarrassing finish in Fever's loss to Aces
"After careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines, I’m officially declaring myself a WNBA prospect," Kanter's statement started.
"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 carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion.
"Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA Draft in April 2027. I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions. I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices.
Advertisement
"I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone — the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for. My team and I are prepared to ensure these guidelines are applied equally, consistently, and without exception, and I look forward to the #WNBA honoring its stated principles. See you at training camp."
The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement does not say anything about self-identification or inclusion as Freedom states, instead simply reading, "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA."
Freedom spent 11 years in the NFL
Freedom — who claims he was blacklisted in the NBA because of his political views — was hit with an extradition request from the Turkish government in 2019 following a laundry list of comments on leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan's regime.
He played for the Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Boston Celtics over an 11-year NBA career. Freedom's slow feet and lack of defensive skill set saw him phased out of the league quickly.
• Caitlin Clark admits to feeling 'pressure' after Sophie Cunningham's trans claim
• Angel Reese gesture goes unpunished as WNBA star taunts opponent
His post was likely in response to the firestorm created from Cunningham's original comments in a July ESPN feature.
"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" Cunningham was quoted as saying.
"I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."
It comes as the Fever declined to remove a fan after a Las Vegas Aces star's complaint.
Source: “AOL Sports”
