Patrick Beverley has strongly criticized former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White for their announced intentions to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft. Beverley, a vocal supporter of women's basketball, characterized their actions as a stunt that demeans the WNBA and its players.
Kanter Freedom and White have stated their intention to enter the WNBA Draft, seemingly to challenge the league's policies on transgender eligibility. The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement currently states that only women are eligible to play, but it lacks explicit definitions or policies regarding transgender participation. The league has reportedly dismissed the declarations as a "bad-faith" effort.
Beverley expressed his disapproval on The Pat Bev Show, directly addressing Kanter Freedom and White. "I don't like what y'all are doing at all," he said. "I think y'all disrespecting the brand that showed y'all a lot of respect. I think y'all disrespecting the game of basketball, period."
He specifically called out Kanter Freedom, who was born in Switzerland and raised in Turkey before moving to the U.S. at age 17. "You come to another country, they give you $102 million in the NBA," Beverley stated. "You've made a name for being in the NBA, and you gonna come in here and say you want to try out for the WNBA? I understand the point y'all are trying to make. What y'all doing, it ain't right."
Kanter Freedom has publicly discussed his intentions, including a recent interview where he suggested a hypothetical partnership with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, likening them to "the modern day Kobe and Shaq." He also posted on social media, warning Angel Reese that he would be the first player he would "dunk on" if he were to be the No. 1 pick in the 2027 draft.
In a separate interview, Kanter Freedom also made comments questioning the WNBA's definition of a woman, which Beverley suggested was disrespectful to the league's history and its players.
Kanter Freedom, however, insisted that his campaign is not intended to mock the league or disrespect any individuals. He stated that his intentions are serious and that he does not want the situation to become a "laughing stock."