The conversation surrounding the WNBA has recently moved outside the court, with the current debate being whether trans athletes can be allowed in women's sports.

This topic has caused a huge stir on social media, and even ex-NBA players like Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have capitalised on the attention and announced their intentions to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft.

While that is never going to happen, such conversations put pressure on the league and its stance. Meanwhile, the WNBPA is free to do whatever it likes, and it has now chosen to speak.

"The WNBPA represents 200+ individual people with different lived experiences, cultures, lifestyles and opinions. We ‌embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion," the statement says.

"Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm. We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns."

While not mentioned by name, this statement comes almost three weeks after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's comments about transgender athletes in women's sports.

"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" Cunningham told ESPN.

"I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."

While the current conversation has now become a larger cultural issue, all of this also comes at a time when a French trans player declared her interest in participating in the WNBA.

Julie Tétart's Response to a Possible WNBA Opportunity

Transgender French basketball star Julie Tétart has been turning heads in Ligue Féminine 2 and recently revealed her stance on whether she would like to participate in the WNBA.

"If they contact me, I won't say no. But you have to be realistic, I'm old, and there are far better players than me," Julie told Outkick, despite having reservations about relocating to the United States.

And if the move actually happens some time, she will be a force to be reckoned with.

During the 2025/26 season, Julie averaged around 21 points and 20 rebounds per game. Her performances have brought renewed attention to her career, transition, and place in French women's basketball.

And through her efforts, she was awarded Domestic Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and overall Player of the Year.

Julie began playing basketball when she was five years old and has spent more than two decades competing in men's regional divisions before coming out as transgender in October 2021 at 29 years old.

Julie has described basketball as 'all my life' and said she initially thought she would have to leave the sport after coming out.

But after spending about three years away from basketball, she joined the Monaco Basketball Association after a trial and became the first transgender player to join a sports team in Monaco.

While it would be a sight to see Julie in the WNBA, her addition directly contrasts with Cunningham's statement on transgender athletes, along with the growing debate, which makes us doubt whether she would be fully welcomed.

So, what is your opinion on the WNBPA's recent statement? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy