Kanter Freedom Warns WNBA: ‘No Idea What You’re Facing’ on Trans Athletes
Former NBA Player Enes Kanter Freedom Says He’s Ready to Join the WNBA
What’s Going On?
Imagine a professional basketball player who played in the NBA for many years suddenly saying, "I want to play in the women’s league!" That’s exactly what happened when Enes Kanter Freedom (a former NBA center) announced he was "prepared" to play in the WNBA. But this wasn’t a normal career move—it was a protest to make a point about fairness in women’s sports.
Who Is Enes Kanter Freedom?
- Former NBA player who played for teams like the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Portland Trail Blazers
- Height: 6’10" (very tall for basketball!)
- Known for: Being an outspoken human rights activist
- Changed his name to "Freedom" in 2021 after becoming a U.S. citizen
- Retired from NBA in 2022 but stays involved in sports conversations
Why Did He Declare for the WNBA Draft?
It all started with Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the Indiana Fever. She spoke up about her belief that biological females shouldn’t have to compete against transgender women in sports.
Important Point:
Sophie Cunningham said: "I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men."
She got a lot of criticism for this, but also a lot of support.
The Chain of Events:
- Sophie Cunningham speaks out on ESPN about fairness in women’s sports
- WNBA players and coaches (like Gabby Williams and Coach Cheryl Reeve) publicly support transgender athletes’ inclusion
- Enes Kanter Freedom notices the WNBA doesn’t have clear rules saying "biological female only" in their official agreements
- He "declares" for the WNBA Draft as a protest—essentially saying: "If anyone can play, then I’m signing up!"
What He Said on "My View with Lara Trump"
Freedom appeared on Fox News Channel’s show My View with Lara Trump and made some bold statements:
His Main Arguments:
- "I think I will be the best draft pick in WNBA history, literally."
- Other sports leagues (like swimming, track, rugby) have added "biological female" or "born female" language to their rules
- The WNBA hasn’t added similar language to their collective bargaining agreement (that’s the contract between players and the league)
- Money talk: He pointed out that if he joined, he’d bring huge attention, ticket sales, and endorsement deals
Key Quote:
"The WNBA has no idea what they’re about to face. They’re still trying to figure out what a woman is. So, let’s see if they can figure that out. Let’s see what kind of rules that they’re gonna come up with."
Support for Sophie Cunningham
Freedom didn’t just talk about himself—he strongly backed Sophie Cunningham:
- Calls her an "American hero" for speaking up
- Says she’s inspiring girls worldwide—he gets messages from all over the world asking him to say hi to her
- Notes she’s getting hate but also growing support
- Rallies have been held before WNBA games in her support (including before an Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty game)
How the WNBA Responded
League officials met to discuss the topic and released a statement saying:
- They’re continuing the conversation about gender eligibility
- They criticized the media for allegedly creating division
- They called out "bad-faith" efforts to undermine the organization
But they didn’t announce any new rules or policies.
Why This Matters: The Big Picture
| Issue | What’s Happening |
|---|---|
| Gender Eligibility Rules | WNBA hasn’t defined "woman" in their official rules like other leagues have |
| Player/Coach Stances | Many publicly support trans inclusion (Gabby Williams, Coach Cheryl Reeve) |
| Fairness Concerns | Athletes like Sophie Cunningham worry about competitive fairness and locker room privacy |
| Protest Strategy | Freedom uses satire/exaggeration to force the league to clarify its position |
Summary
Enes Kanter Freedom—a 6’10" former NBA player—announced he’s ready to join the WNBA not because he wants a new career, but to prove a point. After Sophie Cunningham spoke up about fairness in women’s sports and faced backlash, Freedom noticed the WNBA lacks clear "biological female" language in its rules. He declared for the draft to force the league to either clarify its policies or face the absurdity of a male NBA veteran joining. The WNBA says they’re still talking about it, but hasn’t made new rules. Meanwhile, rallies support Cunningham, and the debate over fairness vs. inclusion continues.
FAQ
Is Enes Kanter Freedom actually trying to play in the WNBA?
Probably not seriously. He’s using this as a protest tactic to highlight what he sees as a loophole in the WNBA’s rules. At 6’10" and in his 30s, he’s not a realistic draft prospect.
What does "collective bargaining agreement" mean?
It’s the official contract negotiated between the players’ union and the league that sets rules for salaries, benefits, and eligibility—including who can play.
Why don’t other leagues have this problem?
Leagues like World Aquatics (swimming), World Athletics (track), and World Rugby have updated their rules to specify "biological female" or "assigned female at birth" for women’s categories.
What did Sophie Cunningham actually say?
She said she wants to protect young girls from having to compete against biological males in sports and locker rooms. She emphasized she doesn’t hate trans people but believes in fairness and truth.
Has the WNBA changed any rules yet?
No. As of this article, they’ve only said they’re "continuing the conversation" and criticized media coverage. No new gender eligibility policy has been announced.