Former NBA center Enes Kanter declared for the 2027 WNBA draft in a move intended to challenge the consistency of the WNBA’s eligibility frameworks after Sophie Cunningham’s comments on trans athletes participating in women’s sports.
On Sunday, he revealed which WNBA player he would first dunk on if he were drafted and signed next season.
Enes Kanter Wants His First WNBA Dunk To Be Against Angel Reese
Kanter, the 6-foot-10 Turkish-American center who played 11 seasons in the NBA before sparking controversy by declaring for the WNBA draft, made his latest social media comment hours after Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever beat Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream in overtime, 95-91.
Kanter tweeted that once he gets drafted and signed to play in the WNBA, he’ll have his first dunk in front of Reese, comparing the Atlanta forward to NBA veteran Paul George.
“Sis! Once I go No. 1 pick in the 2027 @WNBA Draft, the first player I’m dunking on is Angel Reese. She’s the Paul George of the #WNBA. Just lean into the podcast already,” Kanter wrote.
Sis!
Once I go No. 1 pick in the 2027 @WNBA Draft, the first player I’m dunking on is Angel Reese.
She’s the Paul George of the #WNBA.
Just lean into the podcast already.
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) August 17, 2026
Kanter could be picking on Reese’s overall play, even as the Dream star has racked up points and rebounds since stepping onto the WNBA floor following a successful collegiate career at LSU.
Despite her penchant for rebounding, Reese is prone to missing close-range layups. On Sunday, she missed what could have been a game-winning shot for the Dream with 3 seconds remaining in regulation.
That muffed attempt allowed the Fever to regroup in overtime, take control of the five-minute extension, win by four, and move 1.5 games ahead of the Dream in the standings.
Meanwhile, Kanter and George almost played together in Oklahoma City before the 2017-18 regular season, as the latter was traded to the Thunder in July 2017.
In an earlier interview, Kanter said he envisions him being teammates with Caitlin Clark and compared it to the time when Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were teammates for the L.A. Lakers in the early 2000s.
“I’m really excited. It’s going to be fun, especially if I get drafted by a team like maybe Indiana. They can definitely use some big. Me and Caitlin will be modern Kobe and Shaq. I’m telling you,” he said in an interview with former college basketball head coach Bruce Pearl.
Whether he’ll be eligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft remains in limbo. For now, however, Kanter continues generating headlines about the issue until the league has a clear view and implements guidelines.
