WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has made a compelling call to safeguard girls’ sports from biological men. She emphasizes her dedication to protecting young girls in sports and locker rooms. This position has drawn criticism, particularly concerning transgender athletes.
Her latest comments follow a retweet of a CBS Sports host. French transgender basketball player Julie Tétart is hoping to join an inclusive WNBA team. Tétart, who came out as transgender in October 2021, dominated the second-tier French women’s basketball Ligue 2 in the 2025-26 season. Playing for a club team in Monaco, she averaged 21 points and 20 rebounds per game, leading the league in both categories. This performance was unprecedented for Ligue 2.
Despite her success, Tétart expressed doubt about joining the WNBA; she cited her age and the existence of better players. Nevertheless, her outstanding season earned her several accolades, though she did not win league MVP. Her absence from this award raised suspicions of collusion among league voters who are also alleged to have overlooked another transgender player, Aurore Pautou.
Former WNBA player Audrey Sauret has voiced concerns about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. She warns that such participation could lead to unfair competition, discouraging young athletes. Sauret argues that hormonal changes do not eliminate gender differences.
During the season, Tétart set a new league record with 30 rebounds in a game. There was speculation regarding her potential tryout for the WNBA, which she described as a childhood dream. However, political factors, particularly stemming from Donald Trump’s presidency, have complicated her prospects.
When asked about Cunningham’s stance on biological males in women’s sports, Tétart provided no response. The possibility of a matchup between Cunningham and Tétart in the WNBA remains a topic of interest.