Former Sacramento Kings player Royce White posted a photo wearing a wig on social media after declaring for next year's WNBA Draft. The 35-year-old former first-round draft pick, who played three games in the NBA, is the second former NBA player to announce plans to enter the women's league.
White, who is a candidate for the Republican Senate nomination in Minnesota, shared the image on social media following an interview with Fox News Digital. He had previously stated that he is transgender and intends to join WNBA players such as Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham on the court next season.
Along with the photo, White wrote that his first wig had arrived and that he planned to test it on the court. "It came y'all... my 1st wig!" he wrote. "Tomorrow I test it on the court. This is my feminine era glow up, did I slay? If y'all don't 'yassss queen' you're transphobic. I really don't understand all the hatred, I just want to play some hoops with my fellow ladies."
Social Media Reaction and League Debate
White also shared examples of abuse he received after declaring for the draft, including apparent death threats and insults such as "stupid motherf***er." He followed former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, who announced his intention to join the WNBA on Friday afternoon. Kanter Freedom, a 6-foot-10-inch center who played 11 seasons in the NBA, said he plans to officially declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft.
The announcements come as the WNBA faces debate surrounding transgender inclusion in sports. Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham said she wants to "protect young girls" from "biological men." Her comments sparked protests as well as support from Vice President JD Vance.
Golden State Valkyries star Gabby Williams said she would happily welcome a transgender player to her team. Meanwhile, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wore a "Trans Kids Belong" t-shirt on the sidelines during a game against the Fever.
Fox News Interview Details
Earlier on Sunday, 35-year-old White appeared on Fox News to discuss his viral photo and WNBA plans. "I'm just having a blast in my feminine era," White said. "I never thought that I was a woman. I've always trusted the science and thought I was a man my entire life."
White added: "But after further review... it would appear that I am indeed sometimes identifying as a transgender woman and I think it's only fair I get a chance to play with some of my queens here in the twilight of my career, my athletic prime." He insisted that only the WNBA issuing "a definitive statement about guys with a pair of b**** playing in the Women’s Association" could stop him from attempting to compete.
White vowed to wear a wig while playing and said WNBA players will have "nightmares... and they should" about playing against him. "I am 260 pounds, 6ft 8, can palm a men's basketball probably as easily as any player in history," White said. "I think I had the third biggest hands in the history of the modern NBA Draft combine. I really feel like I'm going to be dominant."
Locker Room Access and League Policy
When asked if he would use the women's locker room, White replied: "Of course. I don't want to be discriminated against. Why wouldn't I use the women's locker room?"
White stated that he has respect for the skill level of women's basketball while pointing to physical differences between male and female athletes. "I have great respect for the skill of women's basketball. They have to play a much more skilled game because they don't have some of the physical God-given abilities as the men," White said. "So I have great respect for the women's game but there is a significant difference between biological men and women and we've blurred that line, like we've blurred many other lines unnecessarily, and I plan to exploit that for my economic and athletic benefit."
The WNBA collective bargaining agreement states that "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA." However, the agreement does not include specific language regarding gender identity or sex assigned at birth.
