Story perspectives

Commissioner Engelbert Bars Kanter Freedom, Royce White From 2027 Draft

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 12:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert ruled Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White ineligible for the 2027 draft.
Five Republican House members, led by Rep. Marlin Stutzman, asked Engelbert to define “woman”.
Engelbert said only women qualify and labeled Freedom and White as men.
Police escorted Freedom out of Game 3 at State Farm Arena after he refused the suite.
Freedom warned he would quit the draft if “biological” must precede “woman” in eligibility.

History

Historical Context

Since the IAAF first issued a testosterone limit for women in 2011, the rule—capped at 5 nmol/L for events from 400 m to one mile—has been reshaped by the 2015 Dutee Chand suspension, the 2018-19 Semenya lawsuits, and IOC reviews. In 2027 WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert echoed this rigid biological standard, prompting Rep. Marlin Stutzman’s congressional inquiry.

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Story summary

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert ruled Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White ineligible for the 2027 draft.
Five Republican House members, led by Rep. Marlin Stutzman, asked Engelbert to define “woman”.
Engelbert said only women qualify and labeled Freedom and White as men.
Police escorted Freedom out of Game 3 at State Farm Arena after he refused the suite.
Freedom warned he would quit the draft if “biological” must precede “woman” in eligibility.

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