The WNBA discourse has been anchored by the comments Indiana Fever reserve guard Sophie Cunningham made about transgender women in sports with other girls in an ESPN profile on her that was published on July 21.
“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.”
A few days later, Cunningham was approached about her comments by local media and doubled down on her take.
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” she said. “And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said.”
Since then, a frenzy has erupted with the White House releasing a statement, Stephen A. Smith disagreeing with her, Cunningham’s podcast host and childhood friend disagreeing with her, and multiple WNBA coaches weighing in. However, it’s all largely been a non-issue, as there are no trans athletes in the WNBA.
However, that could all be subject to change.
French transgender star Julien Tetart is the star center of Monaco Basket Association in France’s Ligue Féminine 2, the second-highest professional women’s league in France, and she recently told Fox that she’d play in the WNBA if she was asked.
“If they contact me, I won’t say no,” she said. “But you have to be realistic: I’m old, and there are far better players than me!”
“Obviously, it’s a childhood dream just like for any female basketball player, but unfortunately, it’s not possible,” she added, but conceded it may not be possible.
“The league, yes. The country, no, [laughing],” referring to the harsh anti-trans policies United States President Donald Trump’s administration has supported.
Tetart is leading her league in scoring and rebounding with 21 points and 20 boards a game, and any WNBA team should be chomping at the bit to add a talent like hers.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.