A former NBA player has sent social media into a frenzy after declaring himself eligible for the WNBA draft, in a move that has caused debate over the league’s eligibility rules and how they are applied.

The announcement has left plenty of fans questioning how such a declaration could even be possible under the current framework. The claim, posted on X, leans on the WNBA’s self-identification guidelines and argues that if simply declaring who you are is enough to qualify, then every requirement has technically been met.

It’s a stunt that has quickly snowballed into a broader conversation about consistency within the league’s governance structure.

Enes Kanter Freedom Declares For WNBA Draft

The player behind the announcement is Enes Kanter Freedom, an 11-year NBA veteran, who confirmed he’s declaring for the April 2027 WNBA draft. He pointed to the self-identification rules and what he described as a lack of a public definition for women, as the basis for his eligibility.

Freedom was keen to stress that mockery wasn’t the intention behind the post, adding: “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. My team and I are prepared to ensure these guidelines are applied equally, consistently, and without exception, and I look forward to the #WNBA honoring its stated principles.”

See the full post on X below:

Reaction To Enes Kanter Freedom’s WNBA Declaration

The post has since been amplified by high-profile figures including Riley Gaines and Benny Johnson, with the latter offering legal backing should the league attempt to block Freedom’s declaration.

Some observers on social media have framed the situation as a test of consistency, questioning whether the WNBA can defend its self-identification rules without applying them to Freedom too. Others have dismissed the declaration entirely, arguing it’s a bad-faith stunt designed to mock the league’s policies rather than genuinely test them.

The WNBA has not yet issued a response to Freedom’s declaration, and it remains to be seen whether the league will address the situation directly or attempt to clarify its eligibility criteria in light of the growing attention.

The Premier League season is right around the corner, but an Arsenal player has been left facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after confirming he ruptured his ACL during pre-season, delivering a cruel blow just hours after what should have been one of the proudest moments of his career.

The player had been thrust into first-team action against Real Betis, coming off the bench at right-back for the start of the second half, only to be forced off again just ten minutes later and replaced by Theo Julienne.

Every Arsenal fan’s worst fears have now been confirmed, with the injury now set to derail any hopes of him securing Premier League minutes, or even a loan move for the season ahead.

Arsenal Midfielder Confirms ACL Injury

via Reuters

The player in question is 19-year-old Louie Copley, the Arsenal Under-21s midfielder, who took to Instagram to reveal the extent of his injury. Copley, usually deployed in midfield, had been asked to fill in at right-back against the La Liga side, before being withdrawn.The youngester wrote:

Louie Copley’s Breakthrough Pre-Season With Arsenal

Before the setback, Copley had been enjoying a promising run in Arsenal’s pre-season programme. He’d already featured at right-back before, in the Gunners’ opening friendly against Girona.

He caught the eye with several forward-thinking contributions down the right flank, offering something far different to their usual crop of full-backs: Jurien Timber, Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, and Ben White, who have all been nurtured into the position from centre-back since arriving at the club.

The Englishman spent the second half of last season out on loan at Crawley Town and had previously tasted first-team involvement with the Gunners when he was named among the substitutes for Arsenal’s clash with Club Brugge.

At youth level, Copley has been a regular fixture for the Under-21s and has frequently worn the captain’s armband, underlining the leadership qualities that have marked him out as one to watch within the academy setup.

Crystal Palace look to have run out of patience with Brennan Johnson and are willing to send him to Everton in exchange for Dwight McNeil.

Johnson joined Palace from Tottenham Hotspur in January for £35 million, making him the second most expensive signing in the club’s history. The Welsh attacker had been expected to bounce back after a difficult end to his spell at Spurs but he has endured a disastrous run of form at Selhurst Park.

The 25-year-old hasn’t managed a single goal in his 18 appearances since joining the Eagles. He has also failed to earn a starting berth, and a trial as a right-wing back under former manager Oliver Glasner didn’t result in any improvement.

Crystal Palace Ready To Swap Brennan Johnson

Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Johnson has appeared to be a team player during his struggles but his performances have left the Selhurst Park faithful extremely disappointed. It appears Steve Parish and the board have also grown frustrated with the Welshman and are already prepared to part ways.

According to Alan Nixon on his Patreon, Palace have been in talks with Everton over a swap deal involving Johnson and McNeil. The Toffees’ winger had been set to join the South Londoners in January, but he was left angered after they pulled the plug.

The Eagles appear ready to make it up to McNeil and want to use Johnson to secure his arrival. The 26-year-old could be keen on the switch given he’ll have the chance to play in the Europa League under new manager Pierre Sage.

Crystal Palace transfer targets

McNeil has fallen down the pecking order since David Moyes returned to Merseyside and encountered similar form to Johnson last season. A swap deal could help both players get back to their best in a new environment.

A Signing to Forget For Palace

Given how much money Palace spent on Johnson, he’d have been expected to take up a starting role. He fared well for much of his time at Spurs but never came close to replicating his eye-catching displays at Nottingham Forest at the start of his Premier League career.

Henry Swain of Let’s Talk Palace gave a grim verdict on Johnson and his mentality months after his big-money arrival:

Stats courtesy of StatMuse – correct as of 07/08/2026

That assessment is how many Palace fans view Johnson’s time with the club thus far, and he has flopped given the amount of money spent. Whether he’s been dealing with a lack of confidence following his Spurs spell is unclear, but an early departure certainly looks to be on the cards.