Julie Tetart, a 34-year-old French transgender basketball player, has said she dreams of playing in the WNBA, adding a new chapter to the debate over transgender athletes in professional women's sports.
The 6ft 3in center just finished a dominant 2025-26 season for her team in Monaco, leading France's second-tier Ligue 2 in both scoring and rebounding. She averaged 21 points and 20 rebounds per game, and in March she posted a record-breaking 21 points and 30 rebounds in a single game.
Despite her individual dominance, Tetart's season drew mixed reactions in France. Media and fan uproar followed after she was bypassed for Ligue 2 MVP honors, though she was still named Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Domestic Player of the Year.
Tetart publicly came out as trans in October 2021. She told OutKick that playing in the WNBA remains a lifelong dream, though she acknowledged the odds. "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 said.
A childhood dream
"Obviously, it's a childhood dream just like for any female basketball player, but unfortunately, it's not possible," Tetart wrote. Asked why it's "not possible," she said: "The league, yes. The country, no," hinting at political hurdles under the Trump administration. She confirmed that if a WNBA franchise offered her a contract, she would be ready to play. "I won't say no," she added.
Criticism from a former WNBA player
Former WNBA player Audrey Sauret, who is French, raised concerns earlier this year about trans athletes competing in women's leagues, arguing their participation creates unfair competition for biological women and risks discouraging female athletes. She said Ligue 2 serves as "a kind of testing ground, to introduce trendy ideas," and that allowing participation in professional competitions "creates unfair competition, especially for younger players."
Sauret said the situation "can close doors and discourage aspiring athletes" and could become commonplace even if regulated, adding that "men and women aren't built the same way" and that "changing hormones doesn't erase gender differences." She said she regretted the issue "wasn't addressed much sooner."
Cunningham's comments spark debate
Tetart's WNBA ambitions come as the league faces heightened scrutiny over athlete eligibility. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham recently sparked national discussion by advocating for restrictions to "protect young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men." Asked to respond directly to Cunningham's stance, Tetart offered a brief reply in French: "Aucun," meaning "None."
Cunningham's comments have drawn backlash within the WNBA. On Sunday, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wore a "Trans Kids Belong" t-shirt on the sidelines in Minneapolis. Fans have been divided too, cheering Cunningham on the court while others have booed, and bringing signs both praising and criticizing her remarks.
A history of backlash
Cunningham faced backlash in 2022 after sharing a post from CBS Sports host Josh Pate about former Penn transgender swimmer Lia Thomas's inclusion on the women's team, which read: "Female collegiate athletes deserve so much better than this." Cunningham later released a statement saying she "stands" with athletes but called for "fair" competition.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Cunningham addressed the backlash and doubled down on her remarks. "I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" she said. "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."
