WASHINGTON (TNND) — The debate over transgender participation in women’s sports is taking a new turn in professional basketball, with two former [NBA](https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/white-privilege-dijonai-carrington-posts-after-being-ejected-after-hit-on-cunningham-basketball-chicago-sky-indiana-fever-sophie-cunningham-wnba-caitlyn-clarke-transgender-athletes) players saying they plan to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft in an apparent challenge to the league’s eligibility policies.
The controversy follows comments from Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who recently voiced support for limiting women’s sports to biological females, calling the issue “common sense.” (TNND)
The controversy follows comments from Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who recently voiced support for limiting [women’s sports to biological females](https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/vote-do-you-think-biological-males-should-be-allowed-to-play-womens-sports-transgender-indiana-fever-sophie-cunningham-nbc-enes-kanter-wnba-draft-eligibility), calling the issue “common sense.” The statement from Cunningham reaffirms a position she shared during an ESPN interview earlier this year.
“When it comes just to protecting young girls in sport and women in sport, I feel strongly about that,” Cunningham said in July.
The comments have fueled weeks of debate. Demonstrators on both sides of the issue rallied outside Chicago’s United Center on Saturday.
The WNBA Players Association did not mention Cunningham directly but issued a statement denouncing what it called “hate, abuse, and demonization” directed toward the transgender community.
Now, former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White say they want to enter the WNBA Draft.
Freedom announced Monday that he had signed paperwork to declare for the 2027 draft, framing the move as a test of the league’s policies. He said his effort is not intended to “mock, make fun of or disrespect” any community or personal choices, adding that he expects the WNBA to honor its “stated principles.”
White has also said he plans to declare for the draft, telling Fox News that he does not want to face discrimination and wants “fair treatment.”
Jennifer Sey, founder and CEO of XX-XY Athletics, an apparel company that advocates for restricting women’s sports to biological females, said the declarations put pressure on the WNBA to clarify its rules.
“They have to decide what they’re going to do about these two men who are declaring for the 2027 draft,” Sey said. "I think it's hilarious and I'm all for it."
The debate extends beyond basketball. Professional tennis has also moved to address eligibility in women’s competition, adopting new requirements for gender testing.
American tennis star Coco Gauff recently said she understands “the biological difference and the need to protect that and preserve that,” while cautioning against using the issue to attack transgender people.
“I agree with the need to protect the fairness in women’s sports,” Gauff said, describing the broader debate as “very nuanced.”
The WNBA could soon provide more clarity on its own approach. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert reportedly told teams that transgender athlete participation is expected to be discussed by a task force of team presidents and general managers at a previously scheduled meeting this week.
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