Enes Kanter Freedom Has Targeted WNBA Draft Entry
The 34-year-old former NBA player has announced plans to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Basketball
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Enes Kanter Freedom, who played 807 games over 11 NBA seasons, has declared his intent to join the WNBA in 2027. He has also invited President Donald Trump to witness his projected league debut.
Why it matters
The announcement follows a federal lawsuit filed by Freedom claiming his rights were violated during an August ejection from a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky. Freedom argues that existing league self-identification policies should permit his registration.
Enes Kanter Freedom, aged 34, recorded 807 appearances throughout his 11-season NBA career. He is now looking toward the 2027 WNBA Draft, though the league has indicated he will not be considered eligible.
The players
Enes Kanter Freedom
He is a 34-year-old professional basketball player who competed in 807 NBA games over 11 seasons.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States.
Dennis Rodman
He is a former professional basketball player who has agreed to coach Freedom during the offseason.
The details
Freedom plans to enter the 2027 draft while citing league eligibility rules that he claims permit his participation. Dennis Rodman has reportedly agreed to coach Freedom during the upcoming offseason.
Timeline
The Houston Rockets waived Enes Kanter Freedom in early 2022.
Freedom was escorted from a Fever-Sky game in August.
Enes Kanter Freedom plans to enter the WNBA Draft in April 2027.
Season Trajectory
Freedom's attempt to enter the WNBA signals a potential shift in how professional sports leagues navigate identity-based eligibility requirements. This move challenges current league bylaws and could force a formal re-evaluation of draft entry standards.
Freedom's ongoing federal lawsuit over his August ejection will determine whether he can legally register for the 2027 draft. Should his challenge fail, he remains excluded from official league draft consideration.
The takeaway
The intersection of legal challenges and league eligibility policies continues to define the boundaries of professional sports participation. Athletes seeking to bypass standard entry requirements must navigate both court systems and individual league governance.
What happens next
Enes Kanter Freedom plans to enter the WNBA Draft in April 2027.
Further reading
For more on the current state of professional basketball, visit the Basketball section.
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