Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Aikansh Chaudhary Wed, October 21, 2026 at 5:09 AM UTC · 2 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WNBA's final decision on Enes Kanter has led to one Republican Party member taking a shot at Cathy Engelbert.
Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom's dream of playing in the WNBA has been shattered after the league officially rejected his request to enter the 2027 draft.
As expected, the WNBA cited that Kanter, being a biological male, cannot participate in the league, and hence, he's ineligible for the next season's draft.
It may seem like a pretty straightforward response, but it has led to soon-to-be retired WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert being called out by a member of Donald Trump's Republican Party.
The only reason Kanter even submitted his name for 2027 WNBA Draft consideration was due to the league's reluctance to give a clear definition of what a female is.
It sparked massive outrage from fans amid the potential participation of transgender athletes in the W. Now, even though the WNBA has rejected Kanter's submission, Republican Party politician Mark Harris has taken a shot at Engelbert.
"By denying Enes Kanter's eligibility, the WNBA admits that biological s__ determines gender. Yet the league still has no clear standard defining who can compete," Harris wrote on X .
He added, "It's common sense, and exactly why I called on Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to establish one last month."
It seems that Engelbert cannot escape controversy during the final leg of her stint as the WNBA Commissioner.
However, this could have all been avoided if the league had given a clear response about which gender can play in the W instead of playing it safe.
Enes Kanter picks NBA player who called him a 'drama queen' as America's most desirable punching bag
'This is lame' – Ex-NCAAF player bashes Enes Kanter over 2026 WNBA Finals announcement
Enes Kanter confirms he will attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals and 'take some notes' from Angel Reese
Source: Sports
0 Comments