Former NBA First-Rounder to Test WNBA Trans Policy

A former NBA first-round pick says he's ready to test the WNBA's policy on trans athletes. Royce White, 35, announced on Fox News that he now identifies as transgender "for purposes of professional basketball" and plans to enter the 2027 WNBA draft, the New York Post reports. White, a Minnesota Republican Senate candidate who played briefly in the NBA, said that "I'm a team-first guy" but that he would be able to dominate play if he chose to. But he framed the move as a challenge to the league's unclear policy on transgender athletes' participation.

White's declaration followed a similar bid by ex-NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom, who also says he meets the WNBA's criteria. The league's collective bargaining agreement limits eligibility to women but does not define the term or address transgender athletes. White said he'll sue for discrimination if he's not drafted, pressing the league to clarify its stance amid growing debate over gender and women's sports. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo to teams saying a task force of team presidents and general managers will discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting, per the AP. The players association post a statement Friday supporting diversity and inclusion while saying its members "will not be used as political pawns."