The WNBA's decision to bar former NBA players Enes Kanter and Royce White from the 2027 draft has sparked a fiery response from White's camp, with his attorney issuing a pointed warning to the league.
On Monday, the league announced that Kanter and White, who both declared for the draft claiming female identity, would not be eligible for selection. A league source told Front Office Sports that the declarations were "simply publicity stunts" and that the WNBA is "not going to give oxygen to efforts designed to mock the league or use this topic to demean and marginalize others."
But White, 35, is not backing down. His legal counsel, Matt Gaetz, took to social media on Tuesday to demand the league preserve all records in anticipation of litigation, noting that White's team had not received any official notification about his draft status.
"The @WNBA has not notified @Highway_30 or our legal team of any decision on draft eligibility, as is their standard practice and policy. The WNBA should preserve all records in anticipation of litigation," Gaetz posted.
White, who had a brief NBA stint in 2014 before his career was derailed by anxiety and a fear of flying, responded to the league's decision with a defiant social media statement. "As a Black Trans lesbian, the rumors of denial for my multi-spirit existence are concerning," he wrote. "I'd also like to remind everyone there is a Trans genocide taking place right now in America. These kind of casual comments lead to violence and our deaths. To tell a Black Trans woman she is not a woman or that the Trans experience is a stunt, is transphobic, bigoted and racist."
The controversy echoes earlier tensions, as Kanter had previously issued his own warning to the WNBA ahead of a Chicago appearance. The league's stance has drawn mixed reactions, with some fans supporting the decision and others questioning the process.
Legal experts note that White's case could set a precedent, as the WNBA's eligibility rules have never been tested in court. The league's refusal to acknowledge White's declaration may be seen as a deliberate move to avoid legitimizing what it views as a stunt, but White's legal team is clearly prepared to fight.
This isn't the first time White has made headlines off the court. After his NBA career fizzled, he ran for U.S. Senate in 2024, though he was unsuccessful. His foray into the WNBA draft has now thrust him back into the sports spotlight, but for reasons that go far beyond basketball.
As the legal battle looms, the WNBA's decision could have broader implications for how leagues handle similar situations in the future. The league has yet to comment further, but with Gaetz's warning, it's clear this story is far from over. For now, all eyes are on the courts — and on whether the WNBA will indeed preserve those records.
