Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom says he has filed official paperwork seeking entry into the 2027 WNBA Draft.
The claim comes only days after Freedom, a 6-foot-10 center who spent 11 seasons in the NBA, publicly said he intended to declare for the draft as debate continues over transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports.
On Friday, the former New York Knicks and Boston Celtics player said he had “reviewed the current eligibility guidelines” and would proceed with the move.
Freedom gave followers another update Monday afternoon, posting what he described as a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert outlining his intention to enter the draft pool.
The letter stated: “Please accept this formal document as my official written notification to the Women’s National Basketball Association of my voluntary decision to enter the player pool for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
“Consistent with the current league collective bargaining agreement, I am submitting this notice to exercise my draft rights and to affirm that I am at least twenty-two years old and that I have no remaining intercollegiate eligibility, as required by Article XIII, Section 1(b).
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom says he has submitted official paperwork as part of his bid to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft
The former Knicks and Celtics player has fueled discussion after revealing his plans
Freedom’s provocative letter has put pressure on WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert
‘I request that the WNBA League Office verify receipt of this document and direct any future communications to my personal email address listed above. Thank you for your official processing of my registration into the 2027 draft pool.
‘Respectfully submitted this 6 day of August 2026.’
In an accompanying video, Freedom said: ‘It’s officially official. I just declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft in April. Join me in this journey.’
The WNBA has been engulfed by controversy over transgender athletes in recent weeks, after Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham said she wants to ‘protect young girls’ from ‘biological men.’
Recent reports claimed that a task force of key WNBA figures will discuss the future of transgender athletes in women’s basketball at a meeting next week.
According to a leaked memo sent by under-fire Engelbert, the league will continue to prioritize ‘preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition.’
So far, the WNBA has not made any public comments on the issue – despite mounting pressure on Engelbert. But The Associated Press obtained a memo sent to teams by the commissioner.
‘I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention,’ Engelbert wrote in the memo, which was sent Friday afternoon.
Freedom shared the letter which he wrote to Engelbert on social media on Monday afternoon
Debate surrounding transgender inclusion in women’s sports sparked after WNBA star Sophie Cunningham recently said she wants to ‘protect young girls’ from ‘biological men’
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo to teams about transgender athletes
‘I wanted to reach out to share how we are approaching these conversations at the league office and to thank those of you who have responded to questions from the media with thoughtfulness and professionalism.’
The memo said the topic will be discussed further by a task force of team presidents and general managers at a previously scheduled meeting next week.
Engelbert wrote that the league will ‘always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league.
‘Second, our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Lastly, preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.’
The league’s collective bargaining agreement states that ‘only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,’ but it does not include any more specific language about gender identity or sex assigned at birth.
‘We recognize that this is a complex and nuanced topic, and we will continue to have important conversations with all of you and the Players Association in the weeks and months ahead,’ Engelbert said in the memo.
‘We also plan to convene additional discussions and offer listening sessions for any team leaders who would like to participate. Your perspectives and feedback are invaluable, and I appreciate those who have already reached out to share their thoughts.’
The WNBA players’ association released a statement on social media Friday that emphasized diversity and inclusion while saying the group ‘will not be used as political pawns.’
In a video, Freedom said he ‘meets every single requirement to compete in the WNBA’
Freedom’s announcement comes amid the WNBA’s bitter culture war after Sophie Cunningham advocated for restrictions to ‘protect young girls’ from ‘biological men’ in sports
‘We embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion,’ the statement read. ‘Those are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women’s sports while creating transformational change.
‘Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns.’
Some WNBA players and coaches have come out in support of transgender athletes, including Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.
‘We need to protect trans kids,’ Reeve said on August 1. ‘To me, it’s a human rights issue. Every kid has a right to sports.’
Meanwhile, fellow former NBA star Royce White has also declared for the Draft while trolling his critics by posing in a wig and celebrating his ‘feminine era’.
Kanter announced his intentions to declare for the 2027 Draft on Friday afternoon, saying: ‘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.
Royce White became the second former NBA player to declare for next year’s WNBA Draft
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve recently wore a ‘Trans Kids Belong’ t-shirt
‘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.’
The 34-year-old was previously picked third overall at the 2011 NBA Draft, before enjoying a career that took him to the Jazz, Thunder, Knicks, Trail Blazers and Celtics. He has not played a professional game since 2022.
