Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom has officially signed paperwork to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft. He says he is ready for his “transition.”
Former NBA Player Enes Kanter Freedom Declares For 2027 WNBA Draft
As we previously shared, Freedom — who was a first round pick in the 2011 NBA Draft — is challenging the league’s eligibility rules for transgender athletes. He claims the new set of rules allow him to do so. Apparently, Freedom is cleverly calling out the WNBA for potential hypocrisy regarding its own trans athletes discourse.
On Friday (August 7), Freedom — who apparently believes he was blackballed from the NBA — 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. Sitting on the desk, to the right of his hands, 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.”
Former NBA Player Enes Kanter Freedom Signs Paperwork Officially Declaring For 2027 WNBA Draft
On Monday (August 10), Freedom updated his followers on Instagram about his controversial decision. He shared a video of him signing paperwork, officially declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
In the caption, he wrote, “Officially official, @WNBA. I have officially declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft. Rules are rules! #LetFreedomPlay.” In the video, he said, “Well, it’s officially official. I just declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft in April. Join me in this journey.”
On Tuesday (August 11), Freedom then shared a video of him shirtless in the gym and lifting heavy dumbbell weights. Over the video, he played Jae Hall’s “I Am Woman.” The caption read, “Let ‘The Transition’ to the @WNBA begin. Rules are rules. #LetFreedomPlay.”
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