Enes Freedom Announces He Will Be Joining The WNBA As An Active Player
Former NBA star Enes Freedom intends to join the WNBA.
Enes Freedom played 11 seasons in the NBA as a productive center. Drafted 3rd overall in 2011, he averaged 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game over his career.
He played for the Jazz, Thunder, Knicks, Trail Blazers, and Celtics.
Freedom’s NBA career effectively ended in early 2022 after his vocal political activism. It was particularly his sharp criticism of China and major corporate partners like Nike. He also took shots at LeBron James.
After becoming a U.S. citizen in late 2021 and changing his name to Enes Kanter Freedom, he began wearing customized sneakers on the court. They had slogans condemning China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims and political control over Tibet and Hong Kong.
During the 2021–22 season, while playing limited minutes for the Boston Celtics, Freedom’s off-court focus drew immense media attention. In February 2022, Boston traded him to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets immediately waived him, making him a free agent, and no other NBA franchise offered him a contract.
The Shocking Basketball Crossing For Enes Freedom
Dec 20, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Enes Freedom (13) warms up before the start of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The professional sports landscape is currently facing an unprecedented standoff. The prominent veteran basketball player surprised the entire athletic community with an incredibly unexpected career declaration.
Former NBA center Enes Freedom issued an official declaration as a WNBA prospect. The announcement was made through a detailed social media post on Friday.
“After careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines, I’m officially declaring myself a WNBA prospect,” Freedom said.
His legal team carefully examined the league’s self-identification framework and determined that he met all stated requirements for competition. Naturally, the presence of a 6-foot-10 former professional athlete will stir strong opinions across the sports world. However, Freedom clearly and directly stated in his statement that he has no intention of mocking or disrespecting any community. Instead, he simply demands an equal application of the rules for everyone.
“My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion. Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027.”
Furthermore, Enes Freedom referenced the values that many players and coaches publicly advocate as the primary basis for his inclusion. Having previously played 11 seasons as a center across multiple NBA teams, he noted that the physical advantages gained from that experience remain highly relevant to the discussion. Ultimately, the America First Policy Institute pledged full legal support if the league denies his entry. Therefore, he is actively demanding complete consistency from the league without exception.
Freedom Looks Ahead to Potential Training Camp
Jan 29, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Boston Celtics center Enes Freedom (13) before their game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
He is approaching the upcoming draft process with full preparation and complete seriousness. Moreover, he included a confident “see you at training camp” message at the end of his official statement.
If the league accepts his application, he could claim the title of tallest player in WNBA history. Therefore, this physical disparity remains a central point of the ongoing conversation. Ultimately, global attention remains fixed on how the WNBA executive branch will respond to this formal declaration.
