Royce White declares for 2027 WNBA draft

Former NBA player Royce White has formally submitted a notice to the WNBA expressing intention to enter the 2027 draft. In the declaration, signed by legal counsel Matt Gaetz, White states, “As of signing this declaration, I identify as a transgender woman.”

The filing seeks a formal written determination from the league regarding White’s eligibility. While White meets the age and collegiate eligibility requirements outlined in the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, the central question involves the league’s definition of eligibility, which states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”

The current agreement does not provide specific medical, hormonal, or transition-related requirements for transgender athletes. White has expressed a desire to pursue professional basketball, stating, “We have a right to be included and follow our dreams.”