# Former NBA player Royce White says he is declaring for next WNBA Draft after Enes Kanter announcement

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-08-08 01:07 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
Former NBA first-round picks Royce White and Enes Kanter Freedom have announced their intentions to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft.

## Intelligence Brief
Two former NBA first-round picks, Royce White and Enes Kanter Freedom, have announced their declarations for the 2027 WNBA Draft. Royce White, a former NBA forward, informed Fox that he is a woman and is transgender. White further stated that his wig is in the mail. Enes Kanter Freedom, a former Knicks center, also declared for the 2027 draft as a transgender athlete. The moves are described as part of a process of self-declaration, with one report indicating that another ex-NBA player has threatened legal action if they are not permitted to play in the league. Coverage of these declarations is widespread across multiple outlets including Yahoo Sports, Forbes, Fox News, and The Hill.


PennLive.com emphasizes that both individuals were first-round picks in the NBA. BasketNews.com reports that the WNBPA has fired back at a former top three NBA pick following the stunning announcements. Additionally, Yahoo Sports reports that Piers Morgan has issued a major challenge to the WNBA in response to the declaration by Enes Kanter Freedom. The reports highlight a significant amount of social media activity and public friction surrounding the events. The timing of these declarations coincides with a heated debate regarding transgender athletes, specifically citing drama involving Sophie Cunningham. The WNBPA has responded to this climate by denouncing the demonization of various groups and stating that the union will not be used as political pawns.


Other figures have entered the fray, including Bruce Pearl, who received backlash from fans who claimed sport is not in danger from anyone except people like Pearl. The situation is presented as a targeted effort to send a message amid existing cultural and athletic disputes. Future developments will likely center on the legal and regulatory responses to these declarations. One former player has already threatened legal action regarding their ability to play in the WNBA. Observers will be watching for the WNBA's official stance on the eligibility of these former NBA players for the 2027 draft. The ongoing conflict between the WNBPA and critics, as well as the potential for further legal challenges regarding the status of transgender athletes in professional sports, remains a primary point of focus for reporters from Yahoo Sports and other news organizations.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| PennLive.com | A second ex-NBA first-round pick eyes WNBA Draft: ‘I’m transgender. I’m a woman’ | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxNWVllN1hDUWl6LWVGWFBUZmtUVG15OTdaN1FBajN0MFUzWEtEeTRVX3kxbFpKTHBsVVVkaXByUVNCckVvLVVJZVNKalc2NmdyTmVBYXVzaVR5bUlLU3BxTWMweDlkQXByNzdTNDZqd3NXTTBCSjlqOVhDZlBWZUdYbktsdXQxMUJ2bXdmdHlJMl9teW5BbTRDTjUweGxyTHZUTEJIN1lENWZsNU9WUHlsQUFOQlYxV0h6UlEw0gHPAUFVX3lxTE8wS0hLaHpTdlJCR0w3ZzZyaFhTeS00c2xWZy1GWE1mYnhDcTZCcm5SZnowd3RDOXRNVUY0MFpNemJRbzBZX0ZvTlhoelNENUswQjlRVXpzR01oaEpWLUNyTEp5VUFIeVVjdFlKY0lPTDdCSkhNNGYtcGpENG9SOS1GcmZEbGZtVjE5bGVKM3hsanBIa25YV0h) |
| Yahoo Sports | WNBPA denounces 'demonization' of groups amid debate around transgender athletes, says 'we will not be used as political pawns' | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihgJBVV95cUxNZVF2Rm1lM1pfb1dES3N0ZThUZGJGa3U2dTNySDFvbGNTX1dvR1U1dEJZZlNoeXNvN19pYzFxbUxBMmJjRVNEQUhGelhId3VRZjRlSWZyelhlRU9ZYTZEN2E5S0RlT2txWkVLUVFjdHZKZU5YYTE4T0ZEaVdKQXJTblN4bHVzUllRMl80dWJ6YVVpTlV0VzRvazNWWlZxcC04Qi1sUldubEJwQV9JejNrX0c1cVp0SDNSd0MxbFV2Rm95R3lmbWp0bU9UVEduLThFNXQtQjhyYzAxMmt0Q3ZuVkZrMHNHbXpaWXZBSUowOVFQYXU2MEtYN2txTUI4dFJGUDV3dHZB?oc=5) |
| BasketNews.com | WNBPA fires back at former Top 3 NBA pick after stunning WNBA Draft declaration | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxPSHRLRXBRN0NuV1JVREtYUG53LXpqVTRkdUFjU0JybGExcERDRjkyLVg5UW5LYzJrcjdBQTN0b1o5TjBnZ0JPbmhWUmdYblFZWGw1YUxucGVBc2Z1cUsyMEI5YUdlNk9qYWM0aUVXV0JfeXVhUFc5M0dobkF4MGw1bi1YNXppeUZTeFJjQ0g5ZmNETmFEZkFpQ0Vyd3c3Ym1pWUdaczBhcy1xS0tqV1BRTkUtcEJta1FwWlVV?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Men In The WNBA? Former NBA Stars Declare For 2027 WNBA Draft, Cites “Self Declaration” | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMif0FVX3lxTE1DLWpGYjdrYWxlREQ2Q3VmLXBqUUhyWXdkdDgzRzA2Mm5aZFJoTjRnanV2QmtCQzdMMmJSa2IwS01TRDRjaVhzaUZHX0dEWTFpSGp6ZGdIOU9YUElwMDladWZEbUFycWFqbGpDSlpqZUZZbFQxM001UWQ2eE9tYjQ?oc=5) |
| The Hill | Enes Kanter Freedom declares for 2027 WNBA Draft | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxQNU1HQXZiVGp4V3EtT1M0TW1VZzdXVVg3RUFKS0hVYkpLT0ZmaU03MWlwY3A5azU4RWpUVXRYQWZNUDZGN3V6bnY0THVtV0pta0NnZ0daMTlFRk1hOHpCNHppSk00STBpUkhqblRWb0xjU3gzZC12MFZKc2c3WkcyOXhiU2E5MlAwNll0aXdR0gGTAUFVX3lxTE5VcXUxc3JxUGJMeGJJZUZkZXFNUk1OcjFUN0dJQWI4bXJNS1ByOWFwWTlBZ2x0UHR6SUhFYXFMaXRBTGhGUGFPSlc1UHBnMDBKNUxCQ0xIU3NvdkFndk1wQXc0NVo0ZjE0Y3c1WVBTSmF5eDZkTEkzb2pEanBoMGRJLXNKbWpQQ3UxeEZPMFJLRFBUcw?oc=5) |
| Forbes | Men In The WNBA? Former NBA Stars Declare For 2027 WNBA Draft, Cites “Self Declaration” | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0wFBVV95cUxOYWRjR0dEUHA4bVl3T0E0QUl4LTcta2hvRVlWMXk1anN3bW1xaFFPdnRqZm9pNFd4ZzBWSW1nZURHanF2NjFsNnU1dmQwOFBuSjMxRjRHb1ZXb2l3S3BzaG42TElGQzdTczlONmlsNDc1VTloMkxVXy1oa1o1b3VMcVEtZEJHMWd5UzBEWmloLTY2NlNrN3FzWnZ0NmJLc1dacFk3bW5VR1NQQ3c3RU1DR3M4OFRwOERnVzhNZnpjbWF6VkJIdElyWVBuMDZSRVlweVBZ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | “I’m transgender. I’m a woman.” White told Fox. “I … | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiggFBVV95cUxQdVBDVi1PWGxtdHVwQnJZcTZXSm5RSTBBUEJKbEVmU1hNTUNBclczbVB3SEpZdXVva3hPd3AxX3lEMDNTbG42bHRJd2FDcUtwdFpaSDZnQ01MLVJTdzZiR2xmX2E3MFRtdl9BRG9Ed0l0MHdhT3dpRXAwNExZOXhkc2F3?oc=5) |
| PennLive.com | Ex-NBA center declares for WNBA draft, creating social media frenzy: ‘What a loser’ | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwgFBVV95cUxQcHgtLVl6WDMxSGR3cl9XSm9aUXoxbzFzRU9KM0stLTVQTWhaMHdIYkxTSUpQd3gwVUp5VVFzSVFrOUhBblh1V3BTaDhYcl9DQnpzZktWRkJiS0dVQnRWRnRTUDV5ZUlYNFFXN19QbWJfU0ZQRzRJa1Vkcnp2VGlJalJGWm15VVczS213c2xVZnpLWVdSV256X3RXaVVaaHZUaXlIazVhWXd3aU1lNFVjRnVJTGZyLUxVdDZ6Zl9EY2Nnd9IB1gFBVV95cUxNVXpQQnIwRDVuQjVEYmhzU0daNFZVdG5tUm4zekJiRldwZFdUUGNYc3RvZUttUEdsZkIwRGhPQ3dNX0tpaXRxQW5vTkNaWHVwYUZEaElTaWpCODI4dGZibkVqcXFQNlNGYkd0WDNlSXh3RWV2X3ZkLTg4dFFydzVLUmpaclN0Y3dqaUVZMlNrelR) |
| Yahoo Sports | Steph Curry’s former teammate has a message for Enes Kanter Freedom ahead of NBA to WNBA journey | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxOZi1nYjMzdjZHMkJvWHBtUzR6elYwX19OSVVEbzhWdWxXUHdkcUtKQk1UOGdjVE1hTnk5SzdSVmJIeUFEVERlWGNvaENpOUtmNTBTemIxWmFrWkVQbEo4Tjg2U2ZJQlUxMFlvYU10M3JJUlFBQ2RxVFNIeHYtYU1uVzNianZxSTR5YTNOeg?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Piers Morgan issues a major challenge to WNBA after Enes Kanter Freedom’s 2027 draft declaration | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxOY1RyemdKSEM4OHpZQng2T0dKc0l0MVdMZHpJaE55aFBBVkw4RC1ycWtacDVxblJZOEFiY3cyekZTYUY5VHlJS3p6bjU1dnRjeTlGamVfaUpqbGhrYmNXOGkzc2UxSXNMaUlNUjFEZTUxQmNyeEI4azlpOUdhZlJrQnFxT0xMNkFyMk01ZA?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Ex-NBA Forward Joins Enes Kanter in Declaring for WNBA Draft to Send a Message Amid Sophie Cunningham Trans-Athlete Drama | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMif0FVX3lxTE5QY2UzaDRkSkhTZ3dHd0NIMjQ1NEZnUEp1bnNHcS1mWklJNzJJWVMwNElqNDhmREZtcTBuTFpfZnRDWm1uMVM0QWJGZUtxZDdhd3lUNzJqSEd2R2dVY0JJa3VJSFRVQXRFRTZ2MF9RMmNQSlFjMmo4VkJNaHE3QUk?oc=5) |
| BasketNews.com | Two former NBA first-round picks declare for WNBA Draft | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxQZDB0d29hUHd4ZnhYalVJSm1PZkVNZzlLNTZuUkxRbEpELU5wSTFjdTJicWdub1dCZGJvbl9CdnZMTjNKMjNaamRZTkdIS0dnYVRJdWZmZ1BjX2h2UnlKVGYwX0Zobk9wc05vckxEZ0ZyLU9xdGtPRjJpVmNjcDJ5NXlCMk5jcndRYTJ1am5sSGJlMHdpaVlXdkVSRQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Ex-NBA pick Enes Kanter Freedom declares for WNBA 2027 Draft as transgender athlete | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifEFVX3lxTE80SHpFU1AxVmVzQVljanNhYWJIa3lhVDc1NjNBSUpTM1dEQlNmaFk3R1BPYjNnRzYwT2VfR0djamZYcXpwdmpkdEtqMDAyVUFIbWNpYWRDczJJUDNtOW0zb1BWTHp6QjJnd0hOanhOWlRpdURxOW03OV95WUc?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | “Sport Isn’t in Danger from Anybody Except the Likes of You”: Fans Slam Bruce Pearl After His Comment on Enes Kanter Freedom’s Announcement | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigAFBVV95cUxPR2hMc0FxNXl4YlN1V3lLLVkzTHRiTFBIdHB2dXdWdGFXQUxYN2g5ay1zWXlxeDhKYUtaXzVHSFRsUlg0X0h3ZFAwdTBlQVJTSGVfRHZsbG14aE5GS09mUGp4UXE3SE44d1lyczVVLTZnWF9ITzFpODdVWUphZmp3UQ?oc=5) |
| sports.yahoo.com | Another ex-NBA player declares for 2027 WNBA Draft, threatens legal action if not allowed to play | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihgFBVV95cUxNU294RUtqWWJaSDNyREM4Yjd4VlRrc3Vqb2JvWjZhN0x6TURya1praU4tZ3RkTzc4VFd0QTdySmRSX01FdGNzRmdBaXFfVmpkSjlQYVNfeGtNRUpOdnFvRXZFRGlSNUxMQ2ZKZXVSLVFBT2xsU3h6N0FWSDU5cURPVC1lSUJEdw?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-08-08/former-nba-player-royce-white-says-he-is-declaring-for-next-wnba-draft-after*