The WNBA rules out Enes Kanter and Royce White, two former NBA players, by defining them as "men"'

Cathy Engelbert, commissioner of the WNBA, informed Republican lawmakers that former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White do not meet the requirements to play in the WNBA because "both are men".

Engelbert responded this way to an inquiry from Congress, without providing the definition of "women" that lawmakers had requested.

Regarding your questions about eligibility, only women may play in the WNBA, and the people you mention in your letter are both men

Cathy Engelbert

Lawmakers asked how the WNBA defines the term "women" pursuant to Article XIII, Section 1(a), of its collective bargaining agreement, and why the two former NBA players were deemed ineligible.

'"With regard to your questions about eligibility, only women may play in the WNBA, and the people you mention in your letter are both men," Engelbert wrote in her October 16 response.'

Who determines someone's identity? The person themselves, the commissioner, a medical professional, a committee, or a working group? And who determines eligibility to compete in the women's category?

Enes Kanter Freedom

The document was provided to the outlet "OutKick" by the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), an organization that represents Enes Kanter Freedom.

Engelbert's letter did not announce a new eligibility rule or detail a broader policy governing transgender athletes.

The WNBA cannot clearly define what a woman is

Freedom and White had announced their intention to enter the 2027 WNBA draft, while also stating that they identify as women.

I just want her to respect my identity, because I tell them that I identify as a woman

Enes Kanter Freedom

"Cathy Engelbert cannot clearly define what a woman is, but she is absolutely sure that I am a man. I mean, what sense does that make? Who decides? Who has the authority to determine whether someone is a woman? If the WNBA is still analyzing these questions, how can its commissioner be so sure about my eligibility without explaining the criteria she is applying?" Enes Kanter Freedom told "OutKick".

'When asked whether he believed Engelbert had used the wrong gender when referring to him in her letter to Congress, Freedom responded: "Yes, 100%... I just want her to respect my identity, because I’m telling you that I identify as a woman".'

Enes Kanter Freedom emphasized that "this goes beyond a single basketball player. That is, who determines someone's identity? The person themselves, the commissioner, a medical professional, a committee, or a working group? And who determines eligibility to compete in the women's category? They may be different decisions, but the WNBA must explain where it draws the line".

'Marlin Stutzman: "The WNBA has just taken the first step toward defining what a woman is in sports"'

The letter responded to an inquiry made on September 17 by Indiana Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman, along with four other House Republicans, regarding eligibility criteria, player safety, and interactions with fans.

"The WNBA has just taken the first step toward defining what a woman is in the realm of sports. By clearly classifying Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White as men, they have acknowledged that identifying as a woman does not alter fundamental human biology," Stutzman said in a statement.