Former NBA forward Royce White made waves earlier this week by declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
The 35-year-old has now made a wild prediction that even LeBron James could join him in the league after retiring from the NBA.
Ex-NBA Forward Claims LeBron James Could Make WNBA Switch Amid Trans-Athlete Debate
Following his head-turning statement about declaring for the WNBA Draft, White appeared on Fox News on Sunday morning. The No. 16 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft claimed that the trans-athlete debate was necessary and criticized the WNBA for its eligibility criteria.
“It’s just astounding that the WNBA can’t define the W in the name. I think we’re going through a very necessary conversation about who’s actually eligible to play in some of these professional sports leagues, I guess on both sides of the gender spectrum,” White said.
White, who is a Republican candidate in the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Minnesota, joined fellow ex-NBA player Enes Freedom in declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft. He added that his goal was to help “elevate the WNBA” and boost attendance across the league.
The former Sacramento Kings forward then made the remarkable claim that other NBA players, including James, could also follow his example and switch to the WNBA.
“My goal is to help elevate the WNBA. I think the ticket prices and the attendance will soar. I think the live audience will increase, and I think ultimately, it’s good for the game; it’s gonna help evolve the game,” White continued.
“I mean, who would argue that a player like myself, or an Enes Kanter, or in the future, maybe even, I don’t know, a LeBron James, after he expires in the NBA — you know, maybe he wakes up one day and realizes he’s a woman as well — who could argue that that wouldn’t make the women’s game better?”
🚨 LMAO! Former NBA player Royce White, now a transgender woman, says LeBron James might wake up one day and realize he’s a woman — so HE can file for the WNBA draft too
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“LeBron James, you know, after, after he expires in the NBA. You know, maybe he wakes up one day and… pic.twitter.com/JvEUjiUSQx
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 9, 2026
It remains to be seen whether White or Freedom will follow through on their shared goal of competing in women’s basketball. Their announcements come amid the ongoing trans-athlete debate in the WNBA, which began after Sophie Cunningham revealed her stance on the issue.
The WNBA is set to address the trans-athlete eligibility debate next week, with commissioner Cathy Engelbert announcing a task force of team presidents and general managers.
Meanwhile, James, a four-time NBA MVP, is set to enter his 24th season in the league. The 41-year-old agreed to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million contract last month, and has his sights set on winning a fifth NBA championship.
