French trans basketball player Julie Tétart led the second-tier French women's basketball Ligue 2 during the 2025-26 season, averaging 21 points and 20 rebounds per game for a Monaco club team. Tétart, who came out as transgender in October 2021, topped the league in both scoring and rebounding, including setting a new league record with 30 rebounds in a March game.

Despite these achievements, voters for the Ligue 2 Féminine de Basket Awards chose not to grant Tétart or teammate Aurore any awards, a decision criticized by activist group TRANSpire on Instagram.

Tétart expressed openness to joining the WNBA if contacted but tempered expectations, stating, "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!" The WNBA has been described as an inclusive league, yet Tétart has not received a call from any team.

Former French WNBA player Audrey Sauret spoke out in April following the MVP award controversy, warning leagues worldwide about the implications if biological females are not protected in sports. Sauret highlighted concerns over fairness, noting that "Ligue 2 serves as a kind of testing ground, to introduce trendy ideas, but by allowing them to participate in professional competitions, we create unfair competition, especially for younger players."

Sauret added, "This can close doors and discourage aspiring athletes. This situation risks becoming commonplace, even if it’s regulated. Men and women aren’t built the same way. Changing hormones doesn’t erase gender differences. I regret that this issue wasn’t addressed much sooner."

WNBA star Sophie Cunningham also reaffirmed her commitment to protecting girls' sports from competition against biological males, despite facing criticism for her stance.

Tétart described playing professional basketball as a childhood dream but acknowledged the challenges ahead, saying, "Obviously, it's a childhood dream just like for any female basketball player, but unfortunately, it's not possible."

Sources