All articles tagged with #draft eligibility
Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are not eligible for the next WNBA draft, per an AP source. They had announced intent to enter, but the league has not publicly explained the decision; the piece also notes ongoing debates over transgender participation in the WNBA, with Freedom and White identifying as women.
Two former NBA players, Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, staged a publicity stunt to be declared eligible for the 2027 WNBA draft as part of a culture-war over transgender athletes in women’s sports. The WNBA says there is no active transgender-eligibility crisis, Cunningham's remarks about protecting young girls sparked protests and media attention, but there are currently no transgender players slated to join the league; the stunt has nonetheless drawn attention and possibly boosted viewership.
Two men wearing dresses attended the Las Vegas Aces vs. Minnesota Lynx game to declare themselves eligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft amid the WNBA trans controversy; their stunt, unclear whether earnest critique or satire, drew laughter from an arena staffer and illustrates how the debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports has spilled into demonstrations and related remarks, including comments by Sophie Cunningham and draft-eligibility chatter from figures like Enes Kanter and Royce White.
Caitlin Clark, the Iowa Hawkeyes basketball star, will not be eligible for the 2023 WNBA draft as she will only turn 22 next year. Clark has an extra year of college eligibility due to the COVID-19-impacted 2020-21 season, so she may choose to return to the Hawkeyes for a fifth season. The three ways for domestic players to be eligible for the WNBA draft are to turn at least 22 years old during the year when the draft takes place, have graduated or be set to graduate from a four-year university within three months of the draft, or have attended a four-year university and had her original class graduate or be set to graduate within three months of the draft.