Patrick Beverley has voiced strong disapproval of former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White's announced intention to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, labeling their actions as a "stunt" that disrespects the league and its players.
Beverley, who has consistently advocated for increased respect for women's basketball, stated on his podcast "The Pat Bev Show" that Kanter and White are "disrespecting the brand that showed y’all a lot of respect" and "disrespecting the game of basketball, period."
"You talk about Enes Kanter; you ain’t even from here. You come to another country, they give you $102 million in the NBA," Beverley said. He added that while he understands the point they might be trying to make, their approach is "ain’t right."
Kanter and White have framed their declarations as a test of the WNBA's eligibility rules, which the collective bargaining agreement states are for women but does not explicitly define or outline a transgender participation policy. The WNBA has reportedly dismissed their effort as a "bad-faith" attempt to exploit the ongoing debate surrounding transgender athletes.
Beverley emphasized that there are "a hundred ways to skin a cat" and that Kanter and White's chosen method demeans the progress the WNBA has made. He pointed to the recent growth in the league's popularity, increased media attention, and the addition of new, successful teams.
"We just got the ladies the bag," Beverley said. "They getting a lot of airtime right now. The games is lit. You got new teams coming into the league that’s popping off."
Beverley's criticism focuses on the tactics employed by Kanter and White, rather than directly engaging with the underlying question of transgender women's eligibility in the WNBA. He expressed personal love for transgender and gay individuals, stating, "love for everybody," but maintained that their current strategy is detrimental to the WNBA.
This stance aligns with Beverley's previous public comments. In 2023, he defended Angel Reese after she faced criticism for taunting Caitlin Clark during the NCAA championship game, arguing against a perceived double standard where similar behavior from male players is often praised. At the time, Beverley stated, "The guys can do it, and it’s praised. But a young lady does it, and it’s frowned upon. I don’t agree with that. I think a hooper is a hooper. You don’t put gender, you don’t put race on it."
He has also lauded WNBA stars, calling A'ja Wilson "the most dominant WNBA player we’ve ever seen" and suggesting the Las Vegas Aces could potentially defeat an NBA team composed of reserve players. Beverley believes the progress and momentum of the WNBA are worth protecting from what he perceives as exploitation and stunts.
Kanter has indicated that other former professional basketball players are considering joining his effort to challenge WNBA policies. However, Beverley insists that Kanter and White's actions undermine the league they claim to be addressing.