PHOENIX — Former Phoenix Suns center Robin Lopez has entered the growing debate over transgender eligibility in the WNBA, responding to news of two former NBA players’ plans to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft.
Editor’s note: This story contains strong language in a social media post quoted by Robin Lopez.
Nov 15, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter (13) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) in the third quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
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Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, former first-round NBA picks, said last week they intend to declare for the draft. Their announcements have turned a debate over transgender athletes in women’s basketball into a direct test of the league’s eligibility rules.
The WNBA’s CBA says that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” but doesn’t specifically define gender identity or sex assigned at birth. The ambiguity has prompted questions about how the league would handle a player such as Kanter Freedom or White.
July 18, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Houston Rockets forward Royce White (30) during the first half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Cox Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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Kanter Freedom, a 6-foot-10 center who played 11 seasons, announced his plans Friday, saying he had reviewed the league’s eligibility requirements. White followed hours later, saying he would declare for the 2027 draft and framing the move as a challenge to the league’s policy.
Lopez, who spent his first four NBA seasons with Phoenix, addressed the situation on X, focusing on the personalities involved.
White responded directly to Lopez, prompting a quick reply from the former Suns center.
The exchange comes after weeks of heightened attention surrounding former Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham, whose comments about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports sparked backlash and broader discussion among players, fans and political commentators.
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The WNBA Players Association has emphasized inclusion and condemned efforts to use its players as political pawns. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the league would continue discussions with team executives and players about transgender participation.
Apr. 01, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns center Robin Lopez (15) handles the ball against the New Orleans Hornets forward Chris Johnson (20) during the first half at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Hornets 92-75. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports.
The WNBA is now forced to confront a question its current CBA doesn’t explicitly answer, turning a debate over transgender participation into a potential eligibility dispute before the 2027 draft.
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