Jason Whitlock has weighed in on the WNBA’s ongoing transgender-athlete debate after former NBA players Royce White and Enes Kanter announced their intent to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft.
The “Fearless” host discussed the issue on Monday while responding to a video posted by 2003 NBA champion Stephen Jackson, who criticized unnamed men who have expressed interest in competing in the WNBA.
Royce White Responds to Jason Whitlock’s Criticism Over WNBA Trans-Athlete ‘Gimmick’
The latest voice to enter the discussion dominating WNBA news coverage was Jackson, who addressed the controversy without naming White or Kanter.
On Sunday, Jackson called “anyone who thinks a man should play women’s sports” an “idiot” and an “insecure person.” He also argued that “nine out of 10 times” such moves are gimmicks because the players involved are “not good enough” to compete against other men.
Whitlock shared a video of Jackson’s comments and suggested that the former NBA star was referring to White.
“Stephen Jackson dancing around the fact he really wants to call out Royce White for taking the wig gimmick too far. Say it with your chest out, Cap’n Jack. Or do you need to check in first? I’ll say it for you. Royce looks foolish. It was funny for 4 or 5 hours. Now it looks gay,” Whitlock wrote on X.
Stephen Jackson dancing around the fact he really wants to call out Royce White for taking the wig gimmick too far. Say it with your chest out, Capn Jack. Or do you need to check in first? I’ll say it for you. Royce looks foolish. It was funny for 4 or 5 hours. Now it looks gay. https://t.co/Iw6u4pGeJ5
— Jason Whitlock (@jasonwhitlock) August 10, 2026
White responded roughly an hour later, doubling down on his newfound transgender identification.
“Anytime, anyplace! Btw I’m a transgender lesbian… But I think you and I still have bigger issues to discuss. Stak would say my name if he meant me!” White wrote.
Anytime, anyplace! Btw I’m a transgender lesbian… But I think you and I still have bigger issues to discuss. Stak would say my name if he meant me!
— Royce White 🇺🇸 (@Highway_30) August 10, 2026
White announced over the weekend that he intended to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, hours after Kanter made the same declaration.
The former NBA first-round pick also posted a photo of himself wearing a wig, describing it as the beginning of his “feminine era glow up.” White said he was confused by the “hatred” surrounding the announcement and added that he wanted “to play some hoops with my fellow ladies.”
Jackson did not specifically identify White or Kanter in his original comments, but his remarks came shortly after both ex-NBA players announced their intentions to enter the WNBA Draft.
The developments have brought renewed attention to the WNBA’s eligibility rules and the broader debate over transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
For the WNBA, the debate now extends beyond social media. With two former NBA players publicly declaring for the 2027 draft, questions surrounding league eligibility rules and their application to prospective players are likely to remain part of the conversation ahead of the 2027 season.
