Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom has announced his intention to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft, a move made amid ongoing discussions about the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, stated his plans in an interview with the America First Policy Institute.
Freedom expressed a specific interest in joining the Indiana Fever, the team where WNBA star Caitlin Clark currently plays. He described a hypothetical scenario where he and Clark could form a dynamic duo, comparing their potential partnership to that of NBA legends Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. "Think about this… We're going down the lane, Caitlin throws me a lob and I cut the lob and dunk the ball," Freedom said. "Then me and Caitlin bump chests… which I'm allowed to do now, because I'm a woman."
He also addressed the WNBA's approach to transgender inclusion, stating, "The WNBA is still trying to figure out what a woman is." Freedom claimed he has submitted official paperwork to the WNBA indicating his intent to enter the 2027 draft pool. According to the notes, he asserts that he meets all requirements for eligibility, including being at least 22 years old and having no remaining intercollegiate eligibility.
The WNBA has recently faced controversy regarding the eligibility of transgender athletes. Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham had previously voiced concerns about biological men participating in women's sports. Following meetings on the subject, the WNBA announced that there were no immediate eligibility matters requiring changes to its current guidelines.
Freedom's declaration follows a similar announcement by another former NBA player, Royce White, who also declared his intention to enter the WNBA Draft. White has been more vocal about his gender identity and has posted images on social media in support of his transition.