Ron Harper, a five-time NBA champion, has shown his support for Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham amidst the ongoing debate about transgender athletes in women’s sports, including the WNBA.
On Sunday, Harper responded to a fan backing Cunningham’s remarks about “protecting women’s sports.” He mentioned he would stand up for his daughter if she had to compete against a male athlete:
“She say nothing wrong ’cause if my daughter had to play a male player, I would change into the game in her jersey and give him a beating.”
In a reply to another fan on Tuesday, Harper clarified his stance, expressing support for transgender athletes but opposing their participation in girls’ and women’s sports:
“They can play sports. Iāve no problem with that at all, but when you decide to change at (an) older age, and your body is like a men thatās when itās a problem.”
Harper secured five championships alongside Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman with the Chicago Bulls (1996-98), as well as with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant on the LA Lakers (2000-01).
He has two sons currently in the NBA: Dylan Harper, the 2025 No. 2 pick for the San Antonio Spurs, and Ron Harper Jr., who recently signed a multi-year contract with the Boston Celtics.
Sophie Cunningham has been a focal point in the transgender athlete debate following her comments last month supporting the exclusion of trans athletes from girls’ and women’s sports.
Seventh pro-Sophie Cunningham rally was held Tuesday in Toronto
Supporters of Sophie Cunningham gathered for the seventh consecutive game to show their backing for the Indiana Fever star. Before the Fever faced the Toronto Tempo on Tuesday, Fox News’ Jackson Thompson reported that a crowd gathered outside Scotiabank Arena in Cunningham’s support.
Thompson noted that the demonstrators encountered “no visible opposition.” Rally participants held signs supporting Cunningham, including a large graphic stating, “Thank you, Sophie!”
In recent weeks, similar rallies and some counterprotests have taken place in Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Indianapolis. During the Fever’s latest game on Sunday in Atlanta, a couple of fans wearing XX-XY shirts in support of Cunningham were asked by WNBA security to cover up.
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Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
