The transgender debate in the WNBA is getting a new chapter almost every day now, and former NBA player Royce White has just added another page.
White has made it clear that he isn’t done stirring the pot, and this time he has dropped a hint about exactly which WNBA team he’d like to land on if he gets drafted.
Royce White Names WNBA Landing Spots Amid Trans-Athlete Debate
White posted an AI-generated image of himself in a WNBA uniform on X. In the caption, he said he’d like to play for the Minnesota Lynx, but also hinted that being drafted by the Indiana Fever would work for him.
“Those uniforms are looking good. Personally, I’d like to play for the Minnesota Lynx! The coach and I see eye to eye! Maybe the Fever? Royce White for U.S. Senate MN 2026 WNBA #LetHerPlay,” read the caption of the post.
Those uniforms are looking good. Personally I’d like to play for the Minnesota Lynx! The coach and I see eye to eye! Maybe the Fever?
Royce White for U.S. Senate MN 2026
WNBA #LetHerPlay pic.twitter.com/mSBXwYO0DE— Royce White 🇺🇸 (@Highway_30) August 10, 2026
The timing isn’t random, as this topic has become a highly polarizing one. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham made comments about not wanting transgender players in the WNBA last month, sparking a nationwide debate on the issue.
Not long after, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve made her own statement. She wore a shirt reading “Trans Kids Belong” underneath her blazer while coaching against Sophie Cunningham’s Indiana Fever at Target Center on August 2.
The move came as protesters on both sides of the debate gathered outside the arena. Reeve had already spoken about the transgender-athlete issue before that game even started.
“We need to protect trans kids… To me, it’s a human rights issue. Every kid has a right to sports,” Reeve said before the August 1 game, per ESPN.
Perhaps that is why White name-dropped the Lynx. White isn’t the only former NBA player doing this, as former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom made a similar move just hours before White. He declared himself eligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft after saying that he now identifies as a woman for basketball purposes.
On Friday, the WNBA commissioner announced that the eligibility criteria will be discussed at a previously scheduled meeting with WNBA team presidents and general managers.
“I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention.”
“I wanted to reach out to share how we are approaching these conversations at the league office and to thank those of you who have responded to questions from the media with thoughtfulness and professionalism,” Cathy Engelbert said as per the Associated Press.
It remains to be seen whether the WNBA reaches a decision on this issue anytime soon or whether the debate continues to escalate heading into next week’s meeting.
