Transgender basketball player Lexi Rodgers banned from elite level basketball

A transgender basketball player at the centre of a storm around her playing eligibility has learned her fate in a landmark decision.

Lexi Rodgers in a photo shoot for Nike. Photo: Instagram

Transgender basketball player Lexi Rodgers has been ruled ineligible to play elite level women’s basketball in a ruling by Basketball Australia.

Rodgers was ruled ineligible to play for her club team, the Kilsyth Cobras, in the NBL1 South competition this season.

The ruling was made by a panel consisting of Basketball Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Peter Harcourt, Basketball Australia board member Suzy Batkovic, and associate professor Diana Robinson.

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In a statement to media, Basketball Australia said athlete eligibility was determined on a “case-by-case” basis, and they were acting on behalf of the local governing body, Basketball Victoria.

Basketball Australia took over management of Rodgers’ case from Basketball Victoria after her pending application was picked up in the public sphere, with the governing body writing in a statement at the time that it was “in the interests of the sport and all athletes”.

Transgender basketball player Lexi Rodgers

Basketball Australia’s statement on the outcome said that Rodgers would continue to work with the organisation in the future.

“As the governing body, we acknowledge we’re still on a path of education and understanding. To aid us in developing our framework, Lexi will provide feedback and advice from her experiences,” the statement read.

“The balance of inclusivity, fairness and the competitive nature of sport will always be a complex area to navigate, and we thank those involved who have maintained integrity and respect throughout the process.”

Batkovic said that despite the outcome, she looked forward to Rodgers remaining an active basketball participant.

“While Lexi is understandably disappointed with the outcome, I know she’ll continue to support her NBL1 South team throughout the season and be an active member of the basketball community,” Batkovic said.

“As we continue to develop our own framework for sub-elite and elite competitions, we understand the need to have a clear process and continual education within all layers of the sport so we can best support players, coaches, clubs, associations and the wider basketball community.

“I also want to make it clear because it’s important, that while this particular application was not approved based on criteria for elite competition, Basketball Australia encourages and promotes inclusivity at community level.”

Rodgers at the court. Photo: Instagram

Rodgers posted on Instagram. Photo: Instagram

Rodgers, however, declared it was not the end of her time in basketball, expressing her disappointment at the potential ramifications for trans and gender diverse people in sport.

“Basketball is one of the great loves of my life,” Rodgers wrote in an Instagram post reacting to the decision.

“Like so many people who play every week across the country, the basketball court is where I feel safe, where I feel free, and where I feel I belong.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me as I have sought to participate in the NBL1 this season.

“The backing of the players, coaches, my club and grassroots members has been overwhelming. I am so grateful for their desire to have me as part of their community.

“I have been humbled by the number of people who have publicly spoken in favour of including me as a player in the NBL1.

“Such support fills me with pride, but also sends an honest message of equality to those who are also seeking belonging within sport.

“I sought a different outcome from Basketball Australia.

“I participated fully and in good faith with the process and eligibility criteria. Consistent with the views expressed by so many, I firmly believe I have a place as an athlete in women’s basketball.

“I hope Basketball Australia understands that this is not the end of my journey as an athlete and that it must not miss future opportunities to demonstrate its values.

“I am sad about the potential message this decision sends to trans and gender diverse people everywhere.

“I hope that one day basketball’s governing body can replicate the decision and acceptance I have found on the court with my teammates.

“I hope to one day be playing elite women’s basketball in the future and will continue to work on making the sport I love a place for all.”

Lexi Rodgers in a photo shoot for Nike. Photo: Instagram

Rodgers was at the centre of a social media storm after former NBA player Andrew Bogut critically tweeted about her application in March.

The online outrage prompted Rodgers to open up and reveal her identity on a podcast with Opals star and former WNBL MVP Anneli Maley, pleading for debate to “be nice” and stressing “there’s actual people who are affected by these discussions and debates.”

“It’s good to have a bit of a voice,” she said on the podcast.

“When it’s this hypothetical person and people are making a picture of what a transgender athlete looks like in their head, one, I don’t think it’s me, and two, I think it’s a bit harsh and people forget that there’s actually a person.

“If you don’t get it and you don’t know, one, don’t yell stuff on the internet about it because it’s probably wrong, and two, go and learn about it.

“Please be nice … just try to remember that there’s actual people who are affected by these discussions and these debates.”

Anneli Maley won bronze at the World Cup with the Opals in 2022. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Maley herself initially agreed to go on Bogut’s podcast to discuss the issue before cancelling, saying she had received threats from Bogut’s followers and even had people turn up at her home.

“You have no idea what it’s like to be a woman getting physical threats from grown men,” Maley wrote on an Instagram story at the time, replying to Bogut publicly mocking her for withdrawing.

“My safety was compromised.

“People that follow you, showed up at my house. I received hundreds of physical threats. These people follow you.”

Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze said he had anticipated Rodgers’ application to be approved, and was disappointed in the outcome.

“I think that’s obviously disappointing for Lexi, and it’s a tough set of circumstances of course,” Gaze said.

“As a general principle I’m very open to having transgender athletes play, but as I’ve always stated each situation is very nuanced.

“As a sport that prides ourselves on being inclusive, and based on my understanding of Lexi, my unqualified judgment was that it (the application) was likely to be approved...but I have faith in Basketball Australia and the process that they went through.”

Basketball Australia’s decision follows various moves by international sporting bodies and overseas governments to block transgender participation in sport, with 40 prominent American athletes signing an open letter this week to the US House of Representatives opposing a proposed bill that would see a federal ban of transgender and intersex girls and women from participating in sports.

The letter was signed by the likes of Ballon d’Or winner Megan Rapinoe, US Women’s national soccer team captain Becky Sauerbrunn, and 13-time WNBA All-Star Sue Bird, and stressed the importance of trans inclusion in sports.

“We believe that gender equity in sports is critical,” the letter read.

“Our deepest hope is that transgender and intersex kids will never have to feel the isolation, exclusion and othering that H.R 734 is seeking to enshrine into law.”