Morgan, Kanter and White reignite WNBA eligibility debate ahead of 2027 draft
Controversial broadcaster Piers Morgan has backed Enes Kanter Freedom’s declaration for the 2027 WNBA draft, adding to a growing list of male-bodied athletes seeking to compete in the league and intensifying scrutiny of current eligibility frameworks.
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom has formally declared his intention to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, citing the league’s existing inclusion policies as the basis for his eligibility. The announcement, released via a statement on X, frames the move as a procedural matter grounded in the league’s governance framework, with Kanter Freedom explicitly identifying as a transgender athlete.
The declaration has drawn immediate public support from controversial television host Piers Morgan, who described the move as “brilliant” on X. Morgan challenged current WNBA stars to compete against men, writing, “now let’s see how keen the WNBA stars are for men to play in their League.” This intervention follows previous debates Morgan has had with tennis legend Martina Navratilova regarding transgender participation in women’s sports.
Kanter Freedom’s announcement arrives amidst heightened scrutiny of the league’s eligibility rules, a debate recently reignited by comments from Sophie Cunningham. Cunningham had expressed a desire to protect women’s sports, arguing that male bodies in women’s sports create an unfair contest. Navratilova supported Cunningham’s stance on Morgan’s program, stating that the WNBA league office is not supporting the inclusion of male-bodied athletes despite its public silence.
Adding to the complexity of the 2027 draft landscape, former NBA player Royce White also announced his intention to declare for the draft. Speaking to FOX News, White identified as a woman and described himself as a “team-first” and “pass-first” player who led Iowa State University in all five major statistical categories. White stated he identifies as sometimes identifying as a woman for the purpose of professional basketball and believes he would be “unstoppable” on the court.
The political and social dimensions of the eligibility debate are further illustrated by recent actions within the league. Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams stated in May that she would be open to teaming up with or competing against a trans player. Meanwhile, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wore a “Trans kids belong” shirt during a recent game against the Indiana Fever, a gesture made in response to the polarised discussions sparked by Cunningham’s comments.
