Julie Tetart, a 34-year-old transgender basketball player from France, has voiced her aspiration to compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Tetart recently concluded a highly successful 2025-26 season in France's second-tier Ligue 2, where she led her team in both scoring and rebounding.
Tetart averaged 21 points and 20 rebounds per game. In March, she set a personal record with 21 points and 30 rebounds in a single game. Despite her performance, she was not awarded the Ligue 2 MVP honor, though she received accolades as Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Domestic Player of the Year. Tetart, who publicly came out as transgender in October 2021, acknowledged the challenges of her WNBA ambitions, citing her age and the presence of other talented players.
"If they contact me, I won't say no. But you have to be realistic: I'm old, and there are far better players than me!" Tetart stated. She described playing in the WNBA as a "childhood dream" but expressed skepticism about its feasibility, suggesting potential political obstacles in the United States. "The league, yes. The country, no," she commented, hinting at possible difficulties under a Trump administration.
Tetart's comments come as the WNBA navigates increasing scrutiny over the inclusion of transgender athletes. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham recently sparked national debate by advocating for the protection of young women in sports against competition from "biological men."
Former WNBA player Audrey Sauret, also French, has previously expressed concerns about transgender athletes in women's leagues, arguing that it creates unfair competition and could deter aspiring female athletes. "Ligue 2 serves as a kind of testing ground, to introduce trendy ideas, but by allowing them to participate in professional competitions, we create unfair competition, especially for younger players," Sauret said earlier this year. "This can close doors and discourage aspiring athletes. This situation risks becoming commonplace, even if it's regulated. Men and women aren't built the same way. Changing hormones doesn't erase gender differences."
When asked about Cunningham's stance, Tetart responded with "Aucun," which translates to "None." The debate surrounding transgender athletes' participation has also been visible within the WNBA itself. Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve was seen wearing a "Trans Kids Belong" t-shirt during a game, a gesture seen as a counterpoint to Cunningham's remarks.
Cunningham has faced both support and criticism for her statements, with fans displaying signs both for and against her views. This is not the first time Cunningham has been involved in discussions on the topic; in 2022, she faced backlash for sharing a post critical of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas's inclusion in women's collegiate sports. At the time, Cunningham released a statement clarifying that she supported athletes and called for "fair" competition, but later reiterated her position in an interview with ESPN, stating, "I want to protect young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."