Sophie Cunningham’s comments on transgender athletes have sparked a heated debate around the WNBA in recent weeks. Now, former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom has added another twist to that debate by declaring himself a prospect for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
The move has drawn a strong reaction from legendary coach Bruce Pearl, who urged WNBA players to stand up for women’s sports and protect their league.
Bruce Pearl Sends Strong Message to WNBA Players After Enes Kanter’s WNBA Draft Announcement
The controversy began when Cunningham made her position clear during an interview with ESPN. Her comments quickly spread across the WNBA and beyond.
Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve pushed back on Cunningham’s stance, while other prominent figures supported the Fever guard. Vice President JD Vance also publicly backed Cunningham and told her to “keep going” despite the criticism.
The debate took another turn when Kanter announced that he plans to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
The former NBA first-round pick said he had reviewed the league’s eligibility rules and believes he meets the requirements to enter the draft.
Kanter, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, said his move was not meant to mock or disrespect anyone, but rather to ask the WNBA to apply its rules equally.
“If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA,” Kanter said.
Kanter’s announcement quickly caught Pearl’s attention.
Pearl, who has long been a supporter of women’s sports, argued that the situation shows what can happen when a league does not clearly protect its women athletes.
“As long as the WNBA won’t protect their own league for their own women, this is what’s possible,” Pearl wrote on X.
He then pointed to his own efforts to support women’s sports before calling on WNBA players to take a stand.
As long as the WNBA won’t protect their own league for their own women, this is what’s possible. I was always determined to do my part to support our women’s sports and work hard to win, sellout and help provide the resources. Come on ladies, stand up and protect your sport! https://t.co/4Upxb7i3Sc
— Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) August 7, 2026
“I was always determined to do my part to support our women’s sports and work hard to win, sellout, and help provide the resources,” Pearl wrote. “Come on ladies, stand up and protect your sport!”
Pearl was not the only one to react. Riley Gaines, the former NCAA swimmer who recently showed her support for Cunningham during the Fever-Lynx game, also took a sharp jab at the WNBA under Kanter’s video.
“Thank you WNBA for allowing this to happen,” Gaines wrote.
In any case, Kanter’s announcement has also put more attention on the WNBA’s current eligibility rules.
The league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” but it does not provide a detailed public policy specifically addressing transgender athletes.
The WNBA Players Association responded to the wider debate, saying it supports “justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.”
The union also warned against hate, abuse, and the demonization of transgender people, while saying it would continue to have difficult conversations without being used as a political pawn.
Interestingly, Kanter is not the only former NBA player to enter the discussion.
Royce White reportedly also plans to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
Kanter’s and White’s announcements have put a spotlight on the gaps in the WNBA’s current eligibility rules. The developments have also brought Cunningham’s original concerns back to the center of the debate.
