Ex-NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom claims he’s entering 2027 WNBA Draft in wake of Sophie Cunningham drama

Former Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter Freedom announced he’s intending to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft — just days after Sophie Cunningham’s comments on transgender athletes sparked heated discourse around the league.

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The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Freedom claimed that “after careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines” of the WNBA, he’s “officially declaring” himself a prospect, in a video he shared to his X page Friday.

“If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required,” Freedom said, “then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA.”

Freedom was adamant his decision was not meant to disparage marginalized communities or troll opponents of Cunningham, who made waves earlier this month after she stated biological men should not be allowed to compete against biological women in sports.

“I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions,” Freedom said. “I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices. I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone — the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for.

“My team and I are prepared to ensure these guidelines are applied equally, consistently, and without exception, and I look forward to the #WNBA honoring its stated principles. See you at training camp.”

Freedom’s video logged over three million views in its first few hours on X, and it quickly drew support from Riley Gaines, the former college swimmer who’s become one of the leading voices in the movement to ban trans participation in women’s sports.

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“Genius,” Gaines wrote in a comment on the clip. “Perfect. Waiting to see which WNBA team recruits @EnesFreedom.”

Since Cunningham told ESPN that “girls in sport” should “not have to go against biological men,” remarks like Freedom’s that center around the topic have garnered headlines.

Just this week, former U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe publicly criticized Cunningham for her actions. On July 31, Katie Nolan also slammed Cunningham‘s words on her podcast.

Meanwhile, “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling and politicians like Senator Ted Cruz have backed the Indiana Fever guard for her stance.

For the WNBA’s part, it’s not yet weighed in on the controversy, though the Women’s National Basketball Players Association did issue a statement on Friday that read in part “we embrace justice equity, diversity, and inclusion.”

“We will continue to have hard conversations,” the statement read. “But we will not be used as political pawns.”

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