WNBA players refuse to be 'political pawns' in forceful statement after Enes Freedom 'declares' for draft
WNBA players refuse to be 'political pawns' in forceful statement after Enes Freedom 'declares' for draft
Jarrod Castillo Fri, August 7, 2026 at 9:17 PM UTC
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The WNBA's players released a statement in response to Enes Freedom's social media post -Credit:Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images
The WNBPA, the union representing WNBA players, released a forceful statement following Enes Kanter Freedom's post saying he would declare for the league's draft declaring that its players would not be used as "political pawns."
Freedom, previously known as Enes Kanter, is a former NBA player who has become an outspoken voice in conservative political circles in recent years. The Turkish-born player lost his spot in the league as offenses realized he was a liability on defense, often attacking him in pick-and-roll. He last played in 2022, averaging 3.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.2 assists before being waived by the Houston Rockets, though he believed his waiving was due to his decision to speak out on issues he was passionate about.
Since then, he has further waded into political matters, aligning himself with far-right ideals. On Friday, he "declared" for the WNBA Draft amid the renewed debate regarding transgender athletes in women's sports. Now, the WNBPA has released a statement pushing back on the ongoing debate and stating that they would not be "political pawns."
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"A MESSAGE FROM WNBPA PLAYER LEADERSHIP," the statement on social media began. "To everyone who loves this game: The WNBPA represents 200+ individual people with different lived experiences, cultures, lifestyles, and opinions. We embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Those are the values that unite this Union and allow it to protect women's sports while creating transformational change.
"Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns."
"Support the Players. Support the Fans. At games, notify security if you witness hateful, violent, or abusive behavior. Online, report abusive posts and drown out the bots and bad actors. At home, tell your elected officials to strengthen Title IX."
Enes Freedom took to social media to announce he was 'declaring' for the WNBA Draft -Credit:X/Enes Kanter Freedom
The WNBPA's statement came shortly after the former NBA player made a lengthy post on social media and declared that his intention was not to "mock" but to wish the league's "current rules be applied to everyone."
"After careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines, I’m officially declaring myself a WNBA prospect," Kanter's statement began.
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"If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA.
"My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion.
"Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA Draft in April 2027. I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions. I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices.
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"I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone — the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for. My team and I are prepared to ensure these guidelines are applied equally, consistently, and without exception, and I look forward to the #WNBA honoring its stated principles. See you at training camp."
The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement does not say anything about self-identification or inclusion as Freedom states, instead simply reading, "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA."
The 34-year-old's comments are just the latest in the conversation regarding trans athletes that has gripped the WNBA after Cunningham's original comments in a July ESPN feature.
"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" Cunningham was quoted as saying at the time.
"I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."
Source: “AOL Sports”
