As a WNBA player, basketball has been the foundation of my entire life. It’s more than a game—it’s a vehicle for connection, growth, and advocacy. That’s why it’s disheartening to see the conversation around women’s sports shift from celebration to exclusion, particularly targeting transgender athletes.

The recent International Olympic Committee policy mandating sex verification testing for all female competitors marks a significant step backward. After years of training and sacrifice, no athlete should have to prove their identity to a panel just to step onto the global stage. This approach not only undermines dignity but effectively sidelines transgender women and many athletes with intersex variations.

This isn't a new issue. Sex testing in women's sports has a long, problematic history, only revised after sustained advocacy. In 2021, the IOC itself acknowledged that there is no automatic competitive advantage linked to sex variations or transgender status. The current policy contradicts that science-driven framework, ignoring medical consensus and human rights principles.

True progress in women's sports isn't about policing who belongs. It's about tackling the real, systemic barriers: unequal funding, pay disparities, limited resources, and underrepresentation in leadership. Excluding transgender athletes distracts from these core issues and weakens the collective power of women in sports.

As athletes, we know that competition thrives on fairness, respect, and inclusion. We must choose to protect every player's dignity and recognize that diversity—on and off the court—makes sports stronger for everyone.