#Socialites, get a load of this! Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom says he’s declaring for the May 2027 WNBA Draft.
Freedom, who was a first round pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, claims the league’s eligibility rules for transgender athletes allows him to do so. It appears Freedom is cleverly calling out the WNBA for potential hypocrisy regarding its trans athletes discourse.
According to Fox News, Freedom “has been an adamant opponent of LeBron James, the Chinese Communist Party, Nike, along with more political activism — which he believes blackballed him from the NBA.”
Former NBA Player Enes Kanter Freedom Declares For 2027 WNBA Draft Amid Trans Athlete Discourse
On Friday (August 7), Freedom took to his social media to share his declaration for the 2027 WNBA Draft. In his video, Freedom — who hasn’t played in the NBA since the Houston Rockets waived him in 2022, following a trade from the Boston Celtics — sat behind a studio desk wearing an orange WNBA sweatshirt with the Nike logo crossed out. Next to him on the desk, was a matching orange WNBA hat.
While declaring for the draft, the Nobel Peace Prize Nominee said in his video:
“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 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. 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.”
Freedom’s declaration now forces the WNBA to allow him — based on its eligibility rules for those who claim to identify as transgender — or do what it needs to do, by any means necessary, to protect the fairness, integrity, and safety of their league.
If no team drafts Freedom in April 2027, the league could face discrimination claims. Additionally, if the league declares their sport is only for women, they will then have to face liberal backlash.
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