“Absolute Clowns!” — Ryan Clark Fires Back At Former NBA Stars Enes Kanter Freedom & Royce White For Mocking Women’s Basketball & Trans Athletes [VIDEO]
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Ryan Clark is not thrilled with the actions of Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White.
The WNBA is facing intense debate over transgender athlete eligibility. It was sparked by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham stating the league should block biological males. Cunningham stated the WNBA should restrict participation to biological females to protect the integrity of women’s sports.
The remarks sparked protests, fan rallies, and disciplinary action, including the suspension of a team co-owner after a courtside confrontation with fans. Views among players are mixed; some figures, like Gabby Williams, have expressed openness to inclusion, while others have raised concerns about competitive fairness.
It also led to two NBA players taking things to the next level. This is what has Ryan Clark ticked off this week.
Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White Try & Join The WNBA
Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White sparked controversy by officially declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft. This move functions as a political protest aimed at exposing what they view as a legal loophole regarding transgender player eligibility in the league’s rulebook.
Kanter and White claim that the league utilizes “self-identification and inclusion” guidelines. Both technically meet the criteria to enter the draft simply by stating that they identify as women.
Ryan Clark Delivers Fiery Takedown Of Former Basketball Players
Former ESPN analyst Ryan Clark did not hold back his intense frustration regarding two former NBA stars.
Specifically, former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White publicly claimed they were declaring for the WNBA draft. While certain pockets of internet users found the stunt humorous, Clark saw it differently.
Speaking passionately on The Pivot, the former NFL safety rebuked the basketball players sharply. He explicitly labeled the duo as absolute clowns for turning a serious professional environment into a cheap online joke. Furthermore, Ryan Clark emphasized that male athletes should understand the immense difficulty of earning respect within elite sports circles.
“If we are men, and as former athletes, and we understand how hard it is to get respect in the game, don’t make a mockery of what these women are going through. Don’t make jokes about things you’ll never understand,” he said.
“Stay out of it. If you don’t have some input, either right or wrong, that could be impactful or helpful, let these people be. Because dudes who could never play who want to make jokes about something that is incredibly serious are absolute clowns.”
In the 30-year history of the WNBA, no transgender players have played in the league. It is unlikely to ever happen, so the back and forth about it is not helping either side.
