Royce White, a former NBA player and 2028 presidential candidate, has declared his eligibility for the 2027 WNBA draft, identifying himself as a woman and demanding the league explain why he cannot play. White stated that he has given the WNBA a 10-day deadline to respond to his declaration.
White's assertion comes amid a period of significant commercial success and cultural contention for the WNBA. The league has seen soaring TV ratings and attendance, but the sidelines have become a focal point for discussions surrounding gender identity. This tension was amplified earlier this month when Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham stated her desire to protect young girls in locker rooms and sports from biological men. Her comments led to protests outside arenas across the country.
White's declaration follows a similar move by former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, who also declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft. Freedom reportedly attended a WNBA game wearing a t-shirt defining a woman, which led to a confrontation with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud. White commented on the incident, suggesting the reaction was an overreaction and indicative of the politicization within the league.
White, who was the 16th overall pick by the Houston Rockets in the 2012 NBA Draft, had his playing career cut short due to a dispute over mental health protocols and his generalized anxiety disorder, which included a fear of flying. He maintains that his case led to the implementation of new mental health policies in the NBA, stating that the league's current mental health policy originated from his personal documentation.
"The NBA and I had a huge argument about mental health policy," White claimed. "Their doctors agreed with me that there needed to be a policy, but they disagreed that I should be the one forcing the issue because it put them on the spot. In the offseason, I was pushed out of the league - or blackballed, for lack of a better term."
After his NBA career, White pursued other athletic ventures, including stints in the G League, BIG3, and mixed martial arts, before transitioning into politics. He has run for U.S. Congress and sought the U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota, and is now running for president in 2028.
White views his WNBA bid as part of a broader cultural debate. He suggested that allowing biological males to play in the WNBA could have economic benefits, citing LeBron James as an example of a player whose participation could increase revenue and viewership. He also criticized WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for her silence on the issue, attributing it to "white privilege" and political pressure.
"The political pressure on her is either a widespread cultural thing or coming from above," White said. "I'd love to hear what the NBA has to say - they've been quiet on the whole matter, but we all know they're footing the bill for the league."
White concluded by stating, "Hopefully, they do the right thing and either clearly define the criteria of what a woman is and say I don't meet it, or just let me play and we'll have a blast."