Andrew Bogut ignites trans debate, Kilysth Cobras

A transgender athlete has applied for membership in an Australian women’s basketball league.

Basketball Victoria is expected to approve an application for the player to compete in the NBL1 South women’s competition.

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Basketball Victoria confirmed the news as they continue to work through eligibility requirements ahead of the 2023 season.

Although no official confirmation has been released from the governing body, News Corp’s Matt Logue confirmed that the team looking to play a transgender athlete is Kilysth Cobras.

Former NBA star Andrew Bogut unleashed himself with multiple tweets on Monday afternoon, calling on girls’ dads to unite and take action.

“The word is @NBL1 South Women will have a natural male play next season,” Bogut tweeted.

“Are you okay with sacrificing the sanctity of women’s sport in the name of ‘inclusion’? #GirlDads where are you?

“The hashtag is hip until there is a need for action.”

Bogut followed that up by replying to another user who called him “wildly irresponsible.”

Bogut’s tweet prompted a flurry of reactions, with many users angry at his stance while others agreed with what he had to say.

Responding to Bogut’s tweet, current NBL player Anthony Drmic described the move to allow a transgender athlete into NBL1 competition as “wild.”

Former NBL player Matt Shanahan said the move would only open a “massive can of worms” if he gets the tick of approval.

“I’m a dad of girls who has a 16-year-old daughter on an NBL 1 South roster who was asked if she would be comfortable with that,” said Shanahan, who currently coaches the Victorian Metro U18 team.

“Opening a giant can of worms, if allowed.”

Current NBL1 player Chloe Bibby has shut down arguments over the debate, insisting she has nothing but respect for the individual.

“As someone who plays in NBL1, I don’t care what they identify as or their pronouns, she/she, she/she, he/she, because whatever, I’m still out trying to get them on the Place to spank that butt,” Bibby tweeted.

“They want to play ball and I have the utmost respect for that person. Go kill it queen.”

It’s not the first time Bogut has sparked online debate this month after targeting Football Australia over a detail in his son’s football registration.

Bogut took to Twitter to express his disappointment with the national sporting body for having gender-specific options in a drop-down box on its six-year Rego form.

The list included options for male, female, non-binary, or gendered players to choose from, and a fourth for those whose “gender identity is underrepresented.”

Bogut shared a picture of the list with his supporters and called Football Australia directly.

The tweet divided the internet, with many agreeing with his message and poking fun at the 2015 NBA champion for lashing out at such a small detail.

Many noted that the option was probably there for the club as a whole, not youngsters. Not understanding the outrage at such a small detail, many said Bogut should have just ticked the box that applied to his son and moved on.

Football Australia said it prides itself on the diversity of its sport and the entry form reflects that.