Royce White exploring legal avenues after WNBA tells Congress he is ineligible to play

Former NBA player Royce White says he will explore legal options against the WNBA after Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told Congress that White and Enes Kanter Freedom are ineligible because they are men. White argues the league has not explained how it defines men and women, which he says is central to his challenge.

White and Freedom have declared for the 2027 WNBA draft after saying they identify as women. The league’s collective bargaining agreement says only women may play, but, according to the article, does not specify how that term is defined. Engelbert’s 16 October letter stated the two are men but did not explain the criteria; White has not announced a lawsuit or timetable, and also urged NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to respond.