White, who played just three games during his brief NBA career, told Fox News he identifies as transgender and believes he would dominate the women’s league. The former Iowa State standout claimed he meets the WNBA’s current eligibility requirements based on the league’s approach to self-identification and inclusion.

“I’m transgender. I’m a woman… I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purposes of… professional basketball,” White told Fox News, adding, “I think I’d be unstoppable.”

Despite his confidence about physical dominance, White emphasized his team-oriented approach and versatility on the court. He noted that he led his college team in all five major statistical categories at Iowa State University, positioning himself as a player willing to fulfill whatever role coaches assign.

WNBA Policy Gap Creates Legal Vulnerability

Both players point to a critical weakness in the league’s official documents that may expose the WNBA to discrimination lawsuits if they reject the applications. Article XIII of the WNBA’s 2026 collective bargaining agreement states clearly that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” yet the 409-page document never defines the term “women” or establishes any specific policy regarding transgender eligibility.

The agreement also fails to address whether self-identification alone provides sufficient qualification for participation. Freedom and his legal team reviewed the eligibility criteria extensively and concluded that if declaring an identity were sufficient under current rules, he technically meets the requirements to compete in the professional women’s basketball league.

White suggested the WNBA could immediately resolve the controversy by issuing a transparent statement about biological males participating in women’s sports. He indicated he will absolutely proceed with his declaration unless league officials clarify the controversial issue with explicit policy language that addresses the current ambiguity.

Legal Battle Looms If Players Go Undrafted

The former NBA players have prepared for potential rejection by promising legal action if teams pass on selecting them in the draft. White vowed to file a discrimination lawsuit if he goes undrafted, arguing that refusal to select him based on sex would constitute unlawful discrimination under current WNBA policy as written.

“I have to file a discrimination lawsuit, right? I mean, that’s, that’s ridiculous,” White told the outlet, warning, “We’re gonna have to have a huge legal battle about discrimination if I can’t play.”

The threat of litigation puts the WNBA in a difficult position, forcing league officials to either clarify their stance on biological sex versus gender identity or defend their eligibility standards in court. Legal experts suggest the absence of clear definitions in the collective bargaining agreement weakens the league’s position if players challenge rejection as discriminatory.

White’s Brief NBA Career and Political Ambitions

The 6’8″ forward was drafted out of Iowa State University with the 16th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, but he never suited up for the team due to a generalized anxiety disorder triggered by a severe fear of flying. His limited professional career consisted of just three appearances, making him one of the biggest draft disappointments in recent NBA history.

White currently pursues political office in Minnesota, appearing on the ballot for the state’s August 11 Republican primary for Senate. He won the GOP primary in 2024 but failed to unseat an incumbent senator, and now seeks another opportunity to represent Minnesota in Washington while simultaneously challenging the WNBA’s eligibility standards.

His dual pursuit of political office and professional women’s basketball has drawn criticism from multiple angles, with supporters applauding his willingness to expose what they view as policy contradictions while opponents accuse him of using women’s sports as a political stunt to advance his Senate campaign.

Freedom’s History of Activism and Controversy

Freedom brings his own history of activism to the challenge, having previously spoken out on various political and social issues throughout his NBA career. The former Knicks center has built a reputation for outspoken positions that sometimes conflicted with league preferences, making him a polarizing figure in professional basketball circles.

His decision to declare for the WNBA Draft represents another chapter in his ongoing willingness to challenge established norms and force uncomfortable conversations about policy implementation. Freedom insists he reviewed all relevant documentation thoroughly before announcing his intention, suggesting he believes the legal foundation supports his eligibility claim under current rules.

The coordinated timing of both announcements on the same day indicates potential collaboration between the two former players, amplifying media attention and increasing pressure on WNBA officials to respond publicly. League representatives have not yet issued a statement addressing the declarations or clarifying the organization’s position on transgender athlete eligibility.

Broader Implications for Women’s Sports

The challenge arrives amid ongoing national debate about transgender participation in women’s athletics at all levels, from youth sports through professional leagues. Multiple states have enacted legislation restricting such participation, while other jurisdictions have expanded protections for transgender athletes seeking to compete according to their gender identity rather than biological sex.

The WNBA’s response to these declarations will likely influence policy discussions across women’s professional sports, potentially setting precedent for how leagues balance inclusion principles with concerns about competitive fairness and safety. Other organizations will watch closely to see whether the basketball league revises its collective bargaining agreement language or maintains the current ambiguous standard.

White’s statement that he would be “unstoppable” in the women’s league underscores the physical advantage concerns that drive much of the opposition to transgender participation in women’s sports. His 6’8″ frame and professional male basketball experience would create unprecedented competitive disparities if he actually took the court against female players who average significantly smaller stature and different athletic development.

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