Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom has declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft. At least that's what he claims online.
Kanter, the No. 3 pick from the 2011 NBA Draft, played in the pros until 2022. He played for the Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics, averaging 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Due to the recent debate regarding transgender inclusion in women's sports, Kanter has decided to declare himself a WNBA prospect.
"After careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines, I'm officially declaring myself a WNBA prospect," Kanter wrote. "If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA. My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion. Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027."
While there are definitely people who found this announcement to be amusing, WNBA fans found it to be incredibly embarrassing.
"Embarrassing behavior," Noa Dalzell of CelticsBlog replied.
"Enes gonna average 3 and 5. The second they got enes in a pick and roll its bbq chicken. Obviously the grifting check has gone down so freedom must resume and shift his grift," a fan commented.
"The dumbest person everyone went to HS with thinks this is hilarious," a second fan wrote on X.
"I pity you. What a lame attempt to garner attention. You are truly a pitiful individual. I'm sorry for your family, must be so embarrassing for them," another social media user tweeted at Kanter.
Would the WNBA even allow Kanter in next season?
Although players such as Gabby Williams have come out to support transgender athletes, the WNBA has not made any changes to its current eligibility guidelines.
The league's players association, however, released a statement on diversity and inclusion this Friday.
"We embrace justice equity, diversity, and inclusion," the WNBPA's statement read. "Those are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women's sports while creating transformational change. Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns."
As of this moment, we don't expect to see Kanter suit up in a WNBA game.
