Former NBA player Royce White made an unannounced appearance at an Indiana Fever game on Friday, drawing significant fan attention while wearing a blonde wig. White, who declared his intent to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft as a transgender woman, arrived without prior notice to the team or league officials. The Fever did not respond to requests for comment regarding his presence.
White’s visit occurred during a game against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where he interacted with fans, posed for photos, and received a warm reception. His appearance contrasted with that of Enes Kanter Freedom, another former NBA player who was ejected from a Fever game last Sunday after wearing a shirt with the phrase “woman, noun, adult human female.” Freedom had been publicly announced hours before his arrival, prompting security alerts.
White told reporters after the game that the Fever’s fans were welcoming, stating, “They don’t have hate for Black trans lesbians here in Indiana, it’s a beautiful thing.” He added that his goal was to support the WNBA and the Fever while advocating for inclusion in the league. White formally declared his candidacy in a letter to the WNBA league office, identifying as a transgender woman.
The move by White and Freedom follows their public campaigns to challenge WNBA eligibility rules, which currently restrict participation to biological females. Both players argue that the league should clarify whether biological males identifying as women are permitted to compete. White’s appearance at the game included statements such as “Black trans lesbians matter. We’ve always mattered, we’ve always existed.” He also posted on social media, “The queen has arrived. All hail. Bow down to Queen Roysha.”
The WNBA has not yet issued a formal response to White’s declaration or his appearance at the game. The league’s current eligibility guidelines remain unchanged, requiring players to be biological females to compete in the WNBA.