Infotainment Factory: Bogut outraged at shock basketball move

A transgender athlete has applied to join an Australian women's basketball league, drawing the ire of Australian NBA great Andrew Bogut.

Basketball Victoria is set to approve an application for the player to compete in the NBL1 South women's competition, with media reports stating the player will play for the Kilysth Cobras.

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

But Bogut expressed disappointment over the news on social media on Monday afternoon, calling on "girl dads" to unite.

"Word is @NBL1 South Women will have a biological Male playing this upcoming season," Bogut tweeted.

"Are you ok with sacrificing the sanctity of Female Sport in the name of "inclusion"? #GirlDads where are you?

"The hashtag is trendy until action is needed."

Bogut's tweets provoked several responses, with many on either side of the debate reaching out to the former NBA champion.

Former NBL player Matt Shanahan wrote the decision would open a "massive can of worms."

"I'm a girl dad who has a 16-year-old daughter in an NBL 1 South squad who has been asked if she would be comfortable with this," said Shanahan, who is currently coaching the Victorian Metro Under 18s side.

"Opening a massive can of worms if this is allowed."

Current NBL1 player Chloe Bibby disagreed with Bogut, stating that she has no problem playing against the person in question.

"As someone who plays in the NBL1, I don't care what they identify as or their pronouns, she/her, they/them, he/him because regardless I'm still gone try beat their ass on court," Bibby tweeted.

"They want to play ball & I have nothing but the upmost respect for this person. Go kill it queen."

Earlier this month, gender issues led Bogut to take aim at Football Australia over a detail in his son's soccer registration.

Bogut shared a picture of gender inclusive options in a drop-down box on his six-year-old rego form.

The list included options for male, female, non-binary or gender fluid players, and a fourth section for those whose "gender identity not sufficiently represented".

Bogut shared a picture of the list to his followers, directly calling out Football Australia.

Football Australia said it was proud of the diversity of its sport, and the registration form reflects that.

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