Who is Enes Kanter Freedom?

A former Turkish NBA player, the third overall pick in the 2011 draft, who played for the Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Boston Celtics. He retired in 2022 and dedicated himself to social activism.

Why is Enes Kanter applying for the WNBA draft?

Kanter claims that under current rules on inclusion and self-identification, he meets all requirements and wants to test the consistency of their application.

When is the WNBA draft he has applied for?

The WNBA draft is scheduled for April 2027.

Is it realistic that Enes Kanter will play in the WNBA?

Although he has officially applied, it is highly unlikely that the WNBA will approve him as a candidate or that he will play. His move is primarily seen as a form of social commentary.

Basketball

Former NBA Center Enes Kanter Freedom Files for WNBA Draft

K.O. · Prije 2h | 2 min

Turkish basketball player cites inclusion and self-identification rules, demanding consistent application of regulations. His Twitter post has already sparked strong reactions.

Summary

Enes Kanter Freedom, former NBA center, has officially filed for the WNBA draft in April 2027.
He cites the league's rules on self-identification and inclusion, claiming he meets all requirements.
His announcement has sparked numerous reactions and ignited a debate about equality in sports.
Kanter ended his professional career in 2022, after which he turned to activism.

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, the third overall pick in the 2011 draft, announced on Friday that he is officially filing for the upcoming WNBA draft. The news was posted on his Twitter profile on August 7, 2026, and quickly reverberated through global sports media, including Kurir.rs and Sportske novosti.

Kanter, who last played professionally in 2022, claims that under current guidelines on self-identification and inclusivity, he meets all necessary criteria to compete in the women's professional league.

'I Demand That Rules Be Applied Equally to Everyone'

In his lengthy statement, as reported by Kurir.rs and Sportske novosti, Kanter Freedom emphasizes that his team has carefully studied the WNBA rulebook. "If simply declaring who you are is all that's needed, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA," the former NBA center said.

He also stressed that his intention is not mockery or a joke. "I am definitely not here to mock, joke, or show disrespect toward any community or personal choices. I am simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone," his statement reads. He concluded his application with the words: "See you at training camp."

From NBA Star to Activist

Enes Kanter was selected as the third pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. During his career in the world's strongest league, he wore the jerseys of the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Boston Celtics, for whom he played on two occasions. He began his career with Turkey's Fenerbahçe.

After retiring from the NBA in 2022, Kanter changed his surname to Freedom and became a U.S. citizen. Since then, he has been intensely involved in political and social activism, and his latest post has further stirred the pot regarding equality and the application of rules in professional sports.

The WNBA draft he has applied for is scheduled for April 2027. Although the odds of actually seeing him on the court with players from the strongest women's league are minimal, Kanter has made it clear that he expects the league to "honor its stated principles."