Sophie Cunningham’s stance on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports has opened the proverbial can of worms. While the WNBA is yet to make a formal decision on the subject, it has already sparked a ton of conversation.
For some, though, it has become a way to attract attention towards themselves. Former NBA player Royce White is among those individuals, but even the right-wing media is starting to see his actions as little more than a stunt.
Royce White Isn’t Doing Himself Any Favors
After Cunningham’s comments sparked discussions all around, White used it as a unique opportunity. Claiming that he identified as a transgender woman sometimes, he wanted a fair shot to compete in the WNBA, even declaring for the 2027 draft.
Continuing that trend, he went a step further by joining the dots around his fear of flying. “My fear of flying wasn’t really a fear of flying. It was the transgender trapped inside of me, caged inside of me, that gave me an aversion to small spaces.”
During his time at Iowa State, White had a documented history of a fear of flying. It caused major friction between him and the Houston Rockets, who had drafted him in the first round, and even led the organization to agree to let him travel by bus.
However, as part of his stunt to exploit the WNBA’s inclusion policy, White is trying to milk the situation for all it’s worth. Now, even right-wing media is starting to see through the lies, with Jason Whitlock directly calling him out.
Running for the US Senate in 2024, White’s website has a direct endorsement from Whitlock. But on this particular matter, it looks like the former ESPN personality has also had enough.
Taking to X, he first took a shot at Stephen Jackson, “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?”
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
But rather than disagree with Jackson or his comments, Whitlock was ready to shout it from the rooftops. “I’ll say it for you. Royce looks foolish. It was funny for 4 or 5 hours. Now it looks gay.”
It remains to be seen if backlash from his own side forces White to change his approach. But many, including Jackson, have suggested that the entire situation is a way for White to exploit the conversation and force his name into the mainstream.
During his NBA career, even as a first-round pick, White played only three games, totaling less than 10 minutes. He did have a solid career at NBL Canada before eventually shifting to the political landscape.
