WNBA closes door on former NBA players seeking 2027 draft entry

NEW YORK - Two former NBA players who attempted to enter the 2027 WNBA draft have been deemed ineligible to participate, according to sources familiar with the league's decision announced Monday.

The ruling clarifies the WNBA's eligibility criteria and underscores the separate competitive pathways between men's and women's professional basketball. League sources indicated that the players' prior NBA experience does not qualify them for WNBA participation.

The decision comes as the WNBA continues to manage its draft processes and maintain consistent eligibility standards across all prospective participants. The league has not publicly detailed the specific grounds for the ineligibility determination.

This development highlights the distinct regulatory frameworks governing men's and women's professional basketball in North America, each with their own player qualification requirements and competitive structures. The WNBA's position suggests that crossover participation between the two leagues remains restricted regardless of a player's prior professional credentials.