Former NBA star: 'I will register for the WNBA draft'. Watch the video

Enes Kanter "Freedom", who played 11 seasons in the NBA, announced that he is "officially declaring" his candidacy for the 2027 WNBA draft, a move made against the backdrop of the ongoing debate surrounding the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports.

Kanter, 34, who played for the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics among others, posted a somewhat bizarre video on social media in which he claimed that he and his team had examined the league's eligibility rules:

"After careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines, I am officially declaring myself a candidate for the WNBA. If simply declaring who you are is all that's required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA."

Kanter added that he and his team had checked the framework of rules surrounding self-identification and inclusion, and according to him, "based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027." He later clarified that his goal is not to mock any community. "I am simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone," he said, adding that he expects the league to "respect its stated principles."

The move comes at the height of a fierce public debate in the WNBA. Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever caused a stir after saying she wants to "protect young girls" from competing against "biological males" in women's sports. On the other hand, Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries said she would be happy to welcome a transgender player to her team.

Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve also expressed a clear position when she appeared at a game wearing a shirt that read "Trans Kids Belong."

Kanter was selected third in the 2011 NBA draft and played during his career for Utah, Oklahoma City, New York, Portland, and Boston. He has not played a professional game since 2022, and in that same year, he also visited Israel. His career averages were 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, with his best season being 2014/15 in Oklahoma City, with 18.7 points and 11 rebounds per night.