WNBA rules Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White ineligible; White’s lawyer warns league of litigation

The WNBA has been reported to have declared former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White ineligible for the 2027 draft, a decision that national outlets say could put the league at the center of renewed legal and political debate over eligibility rules for women’s professional basketball.

The Associated Press reported on Aug. 24, 2026, that a person familiar with the decision said the two men — who recently announced they would declare for next year’s draft and said they identify as women — are not eligible under the league’s current framework. The AP story noted the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement limits play to “players who are women” but does not further define the term or address gender identity.

Royce White has protested the ruling and his legal counsel publicly signaled a pushback. Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has said he represents White, posted on social media on Aug. 25 that the WNBA had not notified White or his legal team and urged the league to “preserve all records in anticipation of litigation,” according to coverage of the post in multiple outlets.

The developments follow weeks of heated public discussion inside the league after comments by players and visible fan confrontations at recent games. The AP coverage recounts an incident at a Chicago game on Aug. 23 in which Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected after a sideline confrontation; that episode and the draft declarations have driven league and union conversations about policy.

Locally, the ruling applies to all WNBA teams, including the Atlanta Dream: no team will be able to select either player in next year’s draft if the ineligibility stands. League officials have not published detailed eligibility guidance tied to the decision; the AP report said the WNBA had not publicly explained the basis for declaring the players ineligible.

We will monitor for an official statement from the WNBA, any formal preservation notices or filings, and local implications for Atlanta-area coverage and attendance at Dream games.

Source: Associated Press (reported by The Washington Post), Aug. 24–25, 2026. Article: "Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are not eligible for the WNBA draft, AP source says."