Former NBA player Royce White has announced that he will be declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft, citing his decision to identify as a woman and pursue a career in women's professional basketball.
White made the announcement hours after fellow former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom also declared his intention to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft. In an interview with Fox News Digital, White stated that he identifies as a woman and believes that this identity will allow him to compete in the WNBA.
The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement states that only players who are women are eligible to play in the league. However, the agreement does not define what constitutes a "woman" or provide clear guidelines for transgender or intersex eligibility. The Women's National Basketball Players Association has released a statement emphasizing its commitment to diversity and inclusion, but has stopped short of addressing the specifics of transgender athlete eligibility.
White, who was selected 16th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, believes that his size, strength, and skillset will make him a dominant force in the WNBA. He claims that he would use the women's locker room if he were to join a team and has expressed admiration for the skill of women's basketball.
White is also running in the Minnesota Republican primary for the U.S. Senate and was previously endorsed by the party in 2024. If he enters the WNBA Draft, it remains unclear whether he would be eligible or guaranteed a selection.
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