Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom seems to have his sights set on competing in the WNBA. The 6-foot-10 center has revealed that he is declaring himself for the WNBA Draft.
Freedom’s comments come amid the controversy surrounding the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports that has become a big issue in the WNBA in recent weeks.
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WNBA World Reacts As Former NBA Star Enes Freedom Declares for WNBA Draft
Sporting a WNBA hoodie, Freedom made an announcement on social media on Friday, claiming that he was declaring for the WNBA Draft.
“If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA,” he said.
Freedom further claimed that he met the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and would be putting his name up for next year’s draft. He added that he looked forward to the WNBA ‘honoring its stated principles.’
This is not the first time Freedom has made such a claim, as he said in 2023 that he would average 60 points and 30 rebounds if he played in the WNBA.
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The post drew strong reactions from the WNBA world, with former swimmer and activist Riley Gaines leading the praise for the former Boston Celtics and New York Knicks center. Gaines has long been an advocate against the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports and posed alongside WNBA star Sophie Cunningham last week following her comments on the issue.
“Genius. Perfect. Waiting to see which WNBA team recruits Enes Freedom,” Gaines wrote on X.
OutKick founder Clay Travis also weighed in, praising Freedom for his hilarious video.
“Amazing. Well done,” he wrote on X.
A political analyst on X also reacted to the video, hailing Freedom’s effort as ‘amazing.’
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“Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom has just declared for the WNBA draft. Perfect way to call their bluff after they backed trans women in women’s athletics. Can’t wait to see Kanter and Angel Reese battling in the post. This is amazing,” they wrote.
One fan backed Freedom to dominate the WNBA next season.
“With 120 points per game, you will quickly become the highest scoring professional basketball player of all time. I wish you all the best. I am waiting to purchase your WNBA Rookie Card in extreme bulk,” they wrote.
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The debate on trans athletes being allowed to play in women’s sports has become a nationwide topic in recent weeks. Cunningham made her stance against the issue known last month, but several coaches and players have come out in support of the cause in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, Freedom last played in the NBA in 2022. He was drafted by the Utah Jazz as the third overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
