Former NBA Player Enters WNBA Draft Push With Public Arena Appearance

Clear Facts

• Former NBA player Royce White attended the Indiana Fever game against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday wearing a long blonde wig.
• White declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft through his attorney, former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, stating he identifies as a transgender woman.
• The WNBA collective bargaining agreement states that only players who are women are eligible to play in the league but does not define eligibility based on biological sex.

Former NBA player Royce White brought his WNBA Draft campaign directly to an arena Friday night. His appearance at the Indiana Fever game against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse drew immediate attention from fans and media alike.

White was seen inside the arena wearing a long blonde wig as the Fever prepared to face the Sun. Multiple fans stopped to shake his hand and take pictures with him during his visit.

When asked by OutKick why he was there, White said, “All hail Queen Roysha, the queen has arrived, it’s great to be here… I’m here because Black trans lesbians matter, and we’ve always mattered, we’ve always existed… I’m here to participate and scout some of the competition maybe as well.”

White responded to questions about Enes Kanter Freedom’s earlier ejection by stating he was simply there to spectate and support the league. He said, “I’m just here to spectate. I’m just here to support the WNBA and support the Fever.”

White addressed concerns about how Fever fans might react to his presence. He said, “Who cares? It’s life, you get one life to live. You’re born, you breathe, you stop breathing, hopefully you give all glory to God … Who cares what the reaction is?”

White formally declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft through a letter sent by his attorney, former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz. The declaration stated that White identified as a transgender woman and claimed eligibility under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement.

The WNBA CBA states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” but it does not provide a more specific definition based on biological sex or gender identity. White has made clear that his declaration is intended to pressure the WNBA into explicitly stating whether biological males can compete in the league.

White has also threatened to pursue a discrimination lawsuit if he is not allowed to compete. Multiple outlets reported this week that White and fellow former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom would not be eligible for the draft, though White’s legal team said it had not received a formal determination directly from the WNBA.

White was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 16th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft after starring at Iowa State. He appeared in only three NBA games, all with the Sacramento Kings in 2014.

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