WNBA Disqualifies ‘Men’ From Playing but Still Can’t Define What a ‘Woman’ Is
21st October 2026
The Women’s National Basketball Association declared two former male professional basketball players ineligible to join the league because they aren’t women. However, the league did not provide a definition of “woman” in its announcement.
While responding to an inquiry from several members of Congress about player safety and the league’s definition of a woman, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated in an Oct. 16 letter, “only women are eligible to play in the WNBA and the individuals you cite in your letter are both men.” The dispute stems from August, when former National Basketball Association players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White said they identified as women and were thus eligible to enter the WNBA’s 2027 Draft.
Announcing Engelbert’s decision on X, Kanter Freedom said in a Tuesday post, “Apparently, the WNBA still can’t define what a WOMAN is, but they’re absolutely certain they know what a MAN is! How convenient!”
“WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has declared that I am a man,” he added. “Who gave her the authority to decide who I am? Who gets to define my identity? And how can the WNBA determine who is a man without explaining what qualifies someone as a woman”