Enes Kanter was last in the NBA as a member of the 2021-22 Boston Celtics. While he did play 11 seasons in the league, he is attempting to parlay his basketball past into an issue-driven appearance.
As the WNBA continues to establish viewership stability, the league has been beset by controversy seemingly at every turn.
Social Media Split As Enes Kanter Declares for WNBA Draft
At age 34, Kanter jumped into the spotlight on the back of a controversy. Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham caught headlines with her comments against the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports.
In the 24-hour sports news cycle, there are hot-button issues for athletes to grab their share of attention. Wanting to capitalize on the attention of this politically-charged topic, Kanter declared himself eligible for the WNBA draft. Social media responded, offering simultaneous mock applause and derision.
The 2027 WNBA MVP pic.twitter.com/h1KzCGcAlO
— JeffBo (@JeffBoChicago) August 10, 2026
“@EnesFreedom @WNBA The 2027 WNBA MVP,” chortled one X user. Kanter never made an All-Star Game in the NBA, earning renown as a bench player. The WNBA does not allow men to play in the league. Yet, undeterred, the troll contingent, bent on supporting Kanter’s attempts, remains vocal.
God bless you, Enes Freedom, for shining a much needed light on women needing to be able to have their own sports safe and separate from men.
You are helping countless females who simply want to play fair.
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) August 10, 2026
“God bless you, Enes Freedom, for shining a much needed light on women needing to be able to have their own sports safe and separate from men. You are helping countless females who simply want to play fair,” wrote one user.
Cunningham’s comments sparked a firestorm of debate. Already under scrutiny for other issues, Kanter’s stunt continues to draw eyes to the product that the league may not want.
Thanks for giving me a reason to watch the @WNBA! pic.twitter.com/n3XTb6zRfI
— Naturalized100 (@strokesandblows) August 10, 2026
“Thanks for giving me a reason to watch the @WNBA!” one user stated. Meanwhile, for whatever humor some derive from Kanter, a large section of WNBA social media is not amused and has started responding directly.
What a joke lmao. I hope they all go on protest and go on a strike.
— 🔥Savage Takes🔥 (@GridHoopReels) August 10, 2026
“What a joke lmao. I hope they all go on protest and go on a strike.” Kanter’s approach hasn’t been widely welcomed. For every joke and laughing emoji, some admit they are fatigued with him.
Lmao just absolutely insufferable stuff. Have fun not being drafted and just looking like a complete dumbass
— mk (@mkirby412) August 10, 2026
“Lmao just absolutely insufferable stuff. Have fun not being drafted and just looking like a complete [expletive],” announced another user.
The league will not draft Kanter or Royce White, a former first-round draft pick, who also declared for the draft. Unlike Kanter, White never scored a single point in the NBA. While the debate rages on, Kanter appears to be locked in, staying in the conversation.
