Enes Kanter Freedom praised the WNBA’s players but took a shot at league leadership after Saturday’s historic Game 7, renewing his warning that his push to enter the 2027 draft is far from over.
His reaction came after the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 at Chase Center in San Francisco, winning their first championship in just their second season. Gabby Williams led Golden State with 30 points in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history.
“I’m so proud of all these hardworking, talented women who have dedicated their lives to basketball. They deserve all the recognition, respect, and support in the world,” Freedom said in a statement reacting to the game.
Turkish-American former basketball player and human rights activist Enes Kanter Freedom is seen prior to a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 23, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
“I just wish they had better leadership, because the conversation should be about their incredible performances on the court, not controversies off it. My hope is that next year we can finally have some peace and let basketball be the focus again.
“But if not, I’ll see you ladies at the 2027 WNBA Draft. Rules are rules!”
The former NBA center announced his draft bid in August, saying he identifies as a woman and arguing that the league’s eligibility language allowed him to compete. The WNBA has already deemed him ineligible.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert reiterated that position in an Oct. 16 response to Republican lawmakers who had pressed the league to explain its eligibility standards. She wrote that “only women are eligible to play in the WNBA” and identified Freedom as a man.
The exchange followed a September inquiry led by Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., seeking, among other answers, the league’s definition of “women.”
Article XIII, Section 1(a) of the WNBA’s 2026 collective bargaining agreement states: “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.” The agreement does not set out a separate eligibility policy for transgender women.
Freedom has said he would end his campaign if the league explicitly restricted eligibility to biological women.
The dispute also has a connection to the player who led Golden State to its championship.
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Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries looks to shoot against Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream during Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Oct. 31, 2026. (Getty Images)
Williams voiced support for transgender athletes earlier this year, saying in May, “I would welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team, anytime.” Freedom later cited her comments as the inspiration for his draft announcement.
The Associated Press reported in October that no transgender woman had played in the WNBA.
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Freedom’s campaign also brought him into a confrontation with arena officials during the Finals.
He left State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Oct. 21 after disputing a requirement that he watch Game 3 from a private luxury suite instead of his purchased seat. Video showed officials telling him he would have to agree to go to the suite to enter.
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Golden State Valkyries fans cheer before Game 5 of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, on Oct. 26, 2026. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The arena said the arrangement followed Freedom’s outreach to authorities, the WNBA, the Dream and arena officials about concerns for his personal safety. It said the suite would have additional security and that state police had assigned him an officer at his request.
Freedom insisted he wanted to sit in the seat he purchased. An arena representative said he rejected the suite offered for his safety.
Earlier in the season, the Chicago Sky banned Freedom from home games after his Aug. 23 confrontation with guard Natasha Cloud. Sky owner Michael Alter defended the decision on safety grounds, saying Freedom had made himself a threat by stepping toward Cloud during the exchange.
Freedom’s latest criticism comes with a leadership change already scheduled. Engelbert announced in September that she will retire at the end of 2026, following more than seven years as commissioner.
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Freedom’s statement signals that he intends to keep pressing the issue as the league prepares for a new commissioner and the 2027 season.
