Ex-NBA Player Royce White Appears at WNBA Game in Wig Amid Draft Aspirations

Former NBA player Royce White attended an Indiana Fever game on August 28, 2026, wearing a wig and referring to himself as "Roysha." The appearance came days after his associate, former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, was ejected and subsequently banned from the arena during a previous Fever game.

White, 35, who was a first-round NBA draft pick in 2012, has recently stated his intention to enter the WNBA Draft. He has claimed to identify as a woman and seeks to utilize the league's transgender athlete policies. "The Queen has arrived. All hail. Bow to the Queen, Roysha," White was heard saying in a video shared by Outkick. He also told the outlet, "black trans lesbians matter. We've always mattered. We've always existed. We have a right to exist and we have a right to be included and participate."

White's presence followed Kanter Freedom's ejection from a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky. Kanter Freedom, wearing a t-shirt with a definition of "woman" highlighted, engaged in an altercation with player Natasha Cloud. Following the incident, Sky owner Michael Alter banned Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena, citing his "potential to be a threat."

The WNBA has reportedly deemed both White and Kanter Freedom ineligible for the draft, describing their actions as "publicity stunts" aimed at "mocking the league" and "demeaning and marginalizing others," according to Front Office Sports.

White and Kanter Freedom's actions appear to be a response to comments made by Fever player Sophie Cunningham, who expressed a desire to "protect young girls." This statement brought the WNBA's eligibility rules into the spotlight and prompted the former NBA players' attempts to enter the WNBA Draft.

WNBA veteran Angel McCoughtry has criticized the actions of White and Kanter Freedom. "There's no transgender in the WNBA. So y'all are going on a frenzy about what? What is the obsession with this?" McCoughtry told TMZ. She added that "real NBA players" support the league and do not engage in such behavior, stating, "Leave us alone."