EXCLUSIVE: Former NBA player and men's college basketball star Royce White has officially declared for the WNBA Draft.
White's notice of draft declaration was signed on Monday and sent to the WNBA League office, as seen in a copy obtained by Fox News Digital. The declaration was signed by White's legal counsel, former U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz.
"As of the signing of the attached declaration, Ms. White identifies as a transgender woman. Consistent with Article XIII, Section 1(a) of the 2026–2033 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the WNBA and the WNBPA, Ms. White affirms her eligibility to be considered for selection on that basis," Gaetz wrote in the notice.
"Ms. White further affirms, consistent with Article XIII, Section 1(b)(i), that she will be at least twenty-two (22) years of age during the calendar year of the Draft and has no remaining intercollegiate eligibility. We respectfully request written confirmation of the League's receipt of this notice within ten (10) business days of the date above, and a written determination of Ms. White's eligibility status, including the basis for any determination, at the League's earliest opportunity. We appreciate your attention to this matter and are available to discuss at your convenience."
White wrote in the notice, "As of signing this declaration, I identify as a transgender woman."
White has provided a statement to Fox News Digital addressing the declaration.
"FBA Trans Lesbains matter and we have a right to exist. We have a right to be included and follow our dreams. Thank you to all the Americans that are supporting me, it does not go unnoticed," White said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the WNBA for a response to White's declaration, and is awaiting a response.
White announced he would be declaring for the WNBA Draft in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital on Aug. 7. The announcement came hours after fellow former NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom announced on social media he would be declaring for the WNBA Draft.
"I'm transgender. I'm a woman. I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball, professional basketball, so I'll be declaring for the WNBA draft in 2027 as well," White said that day.
White said only the league could end his challenge by stating its position plainly on the subject of males playing in women's sports.
"I think the WNBA could come out and make a definitive statement about guys with a pair of balls playing in the Women’s Association," he said.
Asked whether he would proceed unless the league did make such a statement, White replied, "Oh, no, I’m declaring. And I don’t want to be discriminated against. I want fair treatment. I’m a young Black, hopefully United States Senator that would like a fair chance to participate as a sometimes-identifying-as-a-transgender-woman athlete."
White also suggested that he would pursue legal action if he goes undrafted and is not signed to a team.
"I have to file a discrimination lawsuit, right? I mean, that's, that's ridiculous," he said. "We're gonna have to have a huge legal battle about discrimination if I can't play."
White never scored a point in the NBA, only playing nine total minutes across 3 games for the Sacramento Kings, but was a star in college for Iowa State. During the 2011-12 college basketball season, White led the Cyclones in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals while earning All-Big 12 First Team honors and a 16th overall pick in the NBA Draft.
White was running for U.S. Senate at the time of the announcement, and recently lost his primary bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota on Aug. 11, finishing behind former Michele Tafoya. This followed his earlier 2024 general election defeat when he won the Republican nomination but lost the state's Senate race to incumbent Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar.
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White and Freedom's announcements have thrust the WNBA further into the cultural debate over transgender athletes in women's sports.
After Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham publicly shared her stance in supporting the protection of women's sports from biological males in July, rallies in support of Cunningham have followed the Fever to most of their games since the All-Star break, which has also prompted pro-trans counterprotesters to attend the events as well.
The eighth rally in support of Cunningham is planned to take place in Dallas on Thursday ahead of the Fever's game against the Wings, and the ninth rally is planned to take place in New York City on Saturday ahead of the Fever's game against the Liberty.
