Now Reading: Enes Kanter Freedom declares for 2027 WNBA draft
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Enes Kanter Freedom declares for 2027 WNBA draft
Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom has declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft, saying his team reviewed the league's eligibility rules and he qualifies by self-identifying as a woman. The WNBA has…
The Story in Brief
Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom has declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft, saying his team reviewed the league's eligibility rules and he qualifies by self-identifying as a woman. The WNBA has not responded. Its collective bargaining agreement states only women are eligible but does not define the term or address gender identity, according to OutKick.
The announcement follows Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's comments that girls should not face biological males in sports. Freedom, 34, said he is not mocking any community and wants the rules applied equally. His video on X drew over three million views. The players' union said it will not be used as a political pawn.
The Indian Opinion
Sections of the media are treating this as a satire or publicity stunt, but Freedom's logic exposes a real hole in the WNBA's rules. The league cannot claim to be inclusive while dodging a clear definition of 'woman'. The question is not why a man declared for the women's draft, but whether the league will now define eligibility or keep the loophole open. Watch whether the WNBA issues a clarifying statement or quietly hopes this fades.
Sources (3): hindustantimes.com, hindustantimes.com (2), livemint.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
