WNBA Limits On Inclusion Tested – Stephen A. Smith Explodes

The WNBA has spent the past few years begging sports fans to pay attention. Now that people finally are, the league keeps finding new ways to turn basketball into a political argument.

Caitlin Clark helped bring record attention to women’s basketball, but the conversation around the league has repeatedly wandered far beyond jump shots and box scores. Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham has become part of that debate after publicly supporting sex-based protections in women’s sports.

Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve recently entered the conversation herself, wearing a shirt reading “Trans Kids Belong” during a game against Indiana.

That choice quickly drew attention from ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, who argued that a professional women’s basketball coach should think carefully about the competitive questions involving transgender athletes.

And, right on cue, another story arrived.

Julie Tétart, a 34-year-old transgender woman playing basketball in France, has said she would consider playing in the WNBA if given the opportunity.

Tétart, who began identifying as female in 2021, has produced eye-catching numbers in France’s Ligue 2, the country’s second-tier women’s basketball league. According to reports, she averaged roughly 21 points and 20 rebounds per game for a Monaco club.

Twenty rebounds a night tends to get attention no matter who is collecting them.

The Daily Mail reported that Tétart’s performance created mixed reactions in France. She reportedly did not receive the league’s MVP award, but was recognized as Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Domestic Player of the Year.

Tétart has also been realistic about her WNBA chances.

“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!” she told OutKick.