Royce White Praised Stephen A. Smith Following WNBA Dispute
The former Senate candidate expressed newfound respect for the commentator after a WNBA draft eligibility standoff.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Do you support sports journalists expanding their coverage to include political commentary?
Royce White has publicly shared his professional respect for Stephen A. Smith following the commentator's defense of White's 2027 WNBA Draft eligibility challenge. The league previously deemed White and Enes Kanter Freedom ineligible for the draft, a move they pursued as a protest regarding transgender eligibility in women's sports.
Why it matters
White attributes his shifting perspective on Smith to age and his recent experiences in professional fighting. He further noted that he views Smith's transition into political commentary as a significant development in media.
Royce White finished third in the 2026 Minnesota Republican U.S. Senate primary, following his run as the party's Senate nominee in 2024. His recent attempt to join the 2027 WNBA draft serves as the basis for the current eligibility dispute with the league.
The players
Royce White
He is a former professional basketball player who transitioned into politics and served as the 2024 Republican U.S. Senate nominee for Minnesota.
Stephen A. Smith
He is a prominent sports commentator and television personality known for his work with ESPN and his recent expansion into broader political commentary.
Enes Kanter Freedom
He is a former professional basketball player and activist who joined White in the attempt to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
The details
White and Enes Kanter Freedom attempted to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft as a protest against current policies regarding transgender athletes. Stephen A. Smith defended the legitimacy of White's challenge while criticizing the WNBA for its handling of the underlying issue.
Timeline
White served as the Republican Senate nominee in 2024.
White placed third in the 2026 Minnesota Senate primary.
White announced his draft intent and appeared at an August 2026 Indiana Fever versus Connecticut Sun game.
The WNBA draft in question is scheduled for 2027.
Season Trajectory
This dispute marks a departure from standard league recruitment protocols by leveraging the 2027 WNBA Draft eligibility process as a vehicle for political protest. The move challenges the current institutional standards and adds a layer of controversy to the league's off-court narrative.
The WNBA has officially ruled White ineligible, effectively ending any potential roster impact for the 2027 season. Consequently, the focus shifts to potential future litigation regarding the league's draft participation requirements.
The takeaway
The intersection of professional sports and political activism continues to complicate traditional league governance models. Readers should note that legal challenges regarding eligibility criteria remain a primary point of friction for professional organizations.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of the sport, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Complex.
Live Poll
Do you support sports journalists expanding their coverage to include political commentary?
