Former NBA player Royce White has spoken in detail about his plans to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
White joined fellow former NBA player Enes Kanter in declaring for the WNBA Draft after the recent debate sparked by Sophie Cunningham over excluding ‘biological men’ from women’s sports.
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Kanter and White are forcing the WNBA to define the women who are eligible to play in their league, with White making it clear he will identify himself as a transgender woman to enter the WNBA.
Royce White’s latest comments on WNBA Draft declaration
White gave an interview to Fox News where he openly called himself a transgender woman and reiterated his intention to play in the WNBA.
“Right now, I’m just having a blast in my feminine era. I never thought I was a woman. I’ve always trusted the science, and I thought I was a man my entire life, but after further review, a strong look at my personal preferences, it would appear I am indeed sometimes identifying as a transgender woman. I think it’s only fair if I get to play with some of my queens in the twilight of my athletic prime.”
White then dropped the facade to explain his decision as forcing a necessary conversation, referring to Enes Kanter’s decision to declare as well.
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White even hypothesised whether LeBron James would consider this move after his NBA retirement, something that President Donald Trump said years ago to mock the idea of trans athletes in women’s sports.
This is a clear attempt at forcing the WNBA to create explicit language to define an eligible woman in their league, which the league is already addressing after meetings with several stakeholders.
Photo by Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
There are many ways of ensuring accessibility to the WNBA for trans athletes who have undergone hormone replacement therapy and might earn their spot on their skill and not on genetic advantages.
This is what the league is likely discussing instead of a blanket ban on trans athletes, something the Players’ Association would not endorse.
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Regardless, they need to reach a decision soon and not let external forces such as Kanter and White continue politicising the WNBA through such actions.
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