Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom has posted a shirtless workout video on X as he officially begins his transition to compete in the WNBA. The clip shows the 34-year-old lifting weights and performing bicep curls. Freedom wrote in his post caption, "Let 'The Transition' to the @WNBA begin. Rules Are Rules! #LetFreedomPlay."
The workout footage comes days after Freedom announced last Friday that he was officially declaring as a prospect for the 2027 WNBA Draft. He is the first of two former NBA players seeking entry into the league.
Freedom did not announce that he identifies as a woman or that he is undergoing a medical gender transition. Instead, his Friday statement declared that he wants rules to be applied equally to everyone.
"If simply declaring who you are is all that's required," Freedom said, "then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA." He added that he is not trying to disrespect anyone, stating, "I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions. I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices."
Freedom expressed that he wants existing standards upheld. "I'm simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone - the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for," he said.
WNBA Draft Eligibility Petition
On Monday, Freedom shared a video of himself signing a document petitioning the Women's National Basketball Association to make him draft eligible. "Officially official," Freedom said. "@WNBA I have officially declared for the 2027 #WNBA Draft. Rules are rules! #LetFreedomPlay."
Following Freedom's announcement on Friday, the players' union released a response. The Women's National Basketball Players Association stated, "Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division and harm."
Career Statistics and Draft History
Freedom was chosen third overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. However, he failed to have as impactful or decorated a career as players selected below him, such as Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler.
Across 11 seasons in the NBA, Freedom played 748 career games for five teams: the Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics. He averaged 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game before last playing in the 2021-22 NBA season.
