MINNEAPOLIS, United States — Former NBA player Royce White says he plans to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft after announcing that he identifies as transgender, adding another unusual development to the ongoing debate over eligibility and transgender participation in women’s sports.
- Royce White says he plans to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
- The former NBA first-round pick says he identifies as transgender and wants to compete in the WNBA.
- The WNBA’s 2026 collective bargaining agreement says only players who are women are eligible, but does not publicly define the term or establish detailed transgender eligibility criteria.
- White says he could pursue legal action if he is not allowed to play after going undrafted or unsigned.
Royce White announces WNBA Draft plans
White, who was selected 16th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2012 NBA Draft, told OutKick and Fox News Digital that he intends to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
He said he identifies as transgender and intends to seek an opportunity to play professional basketball in the women’s league.
White argued that he would bring the skills of a former NBA player to the WNBA and said he would be willing to play whatever role a team required.
He also said he believed participation would be fair if the league’s eligibility rules allowed him to compete.
WNBA eligibility rules remain central to dispute
The WNBA’s 2026 collective bargaining agreement contains a provision stating that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”
According to the supplied report, the 409-page agreement does not further define “women” or establish a publicly detailed policy specifically addressing transgender or intersex eligibility.
The agreement also does not state that self-identification alone establishes eligibility.
As a result, White’s public declaration does not automatically place him in the WNBA Draft pool, guarantee selection or ensure that he could sign with a team.
White says he could pursue legal action
White said he wants the league to clearly explain what criteria would determine whether a transgender applicant is eligible to play.
He said that if he were not drafted or signed, he could consider pursuing a discrimination lawsuit, arguing that he should receive fair treatment.
The WNBA has not publicly explained, according to the supplied material, what specific process or criteria it would use to determine whether a transgender applicant satisfies the collective bargaining agreement’s eligibility provision.
WNBPA addresses broader transgender athlete debate
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association addressed the wider controversy on Friday without setting out a specific eligibility policy.
The union said it supports justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, while also condemning hostility and abuse directed at transgender people.
“We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns.”
The statement came amid a broader debate about transgender participation in women’s sports.
White names Minnesota Lynx as preferred team
If given a choice of WNBA teams, White said he would prefer to play for the Minnesota Lynx and head coach Cheryl Reeve.
White pointed to Reeve’s recent public support for transgender youth as part of his reasoning for selecting Minnesota as his preferred destination.
He also highlighted his own physical size and previous basketball experience when discussing a potential WNBA career.
White’s NBA and college basketball background
The Houston Rockets selected White with the 16th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft after his only college season at Iowa State.
During that season, he averaged 13.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and five assists. According to the supplied report, he was the only Division I player that season to lead his team in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks.
At the 2012 NBA Draft Combine, White was measured at 6-foot-8 and 260.6 pounds, with an 11.5-inch hand width, which was the largest recorded at that combine.
White also has professional experience outside the NBA, including playing in the BIG3. He cited Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman, who coached him in the league, and said he has respect for women’s basketball.
White says he announced before Enes Kanter Freedom
White’s announcement followed former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom’s own declaration that he intended to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft.
Freedom said he and his team had reviewed the WNBA’s eligibility provisions and its approach to self-identification and inclusion before announcing his intention to pursue a place in the draft.
White said he had publicly identified as transgender and expressed his intention to pursue a WNBA career several days before Freedom’s announcement.
He also raised the possibility of the two former NBA players eventually playing on the same WNBA team.
Draft declaration does not guarantee WNBA entry
White’s announcement, like Freedom’s, does not itself guarantee participation in the WNBA Draft, selection by a team or a professional contract.
The key issue would be whether the league determines that either player meets its eligibility requirements. The supplied material states that the WNBA has not publicly detailed the criteria it would apply to transgender applicants under its current collective bargaining agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Royce White already eligible to play in the WNBA?
No. Declaring an intention to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft does not automatically establish eligibility, guarantee selection or provide a WNBA contract. The league’s current collective bargaining agreement states that only players who are women are eligible, while the supplied report says it does not publicly provide further definitions or detailed transgender eligibility criteria.
Was Royce White an NBA player?
Yes. The Houston Rockets selected White 16th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft after his lone season at Iowa State. He also later played in the BIG3.
What happens next?
White says he intends to pursue the 2027 WNBA Draft, but his declaration does not by itself determine whether he can enter the draft or play in the league.
The next significant issue is whether the WNBA provides further clarification about how its women-only eligibility provision applies to transgender applicants. Any potential legal challenge could also bring the league’s eligibility rules under further scrutiny.
