On a night when Simone Biles was in the building, Indiana Fever fans flocked to Royce White.
White, a former NBA player who became a viral sensation after declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft, showed up at Friday night’s Fever game in what he says was an unannounced appearance.
White told OutKick that he didn’t give the Fever any notice that he would be coming, and the ticket wasn’t even purchased under his name. The Fever have not responded to requests for comment.
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Former basketball player Royce White takes the stage at the Minnesota Republican Party convention at St. Paul’s RiverCentre after winning the GOP endorsement to challenge Democratic incumbent Amy Klobuchar for her U.S. Senate seat, Saturday, May 18, 2024, St. Paul, Minn. (Photo by Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via Getty Images) (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
White quickly became the story of the night, as fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse stopped to talk with him, shake his hand and take photos.
The friendly reception of White was in stark contrast to how Enes Kanter Freedom was received at the Chicago Sky’s home game vs. the Fever game last Sunday. Fans heckled Freedom on his way into the arena before he was ejected from the game in the third quarter.
The Sky were informed that Freedom would be coming hours before the game, and team owner Michael Alter told OutKick that security was alerted of Freedom’s presence at that game.
White, who says the Fever had no such notice he would be showing up Friday, avoided any similar issues to Freedom. The Indiana home crowd truly embraced White.
“They don’t have hate for Black trans lesbians here in Indiana, it’s a beautiful thing,” White told OutKick after the game. “The reception was great. That’s really the cool thing, juxtaposed to what Enes went through… there in Chicago. I just had a completely different experience tonight, and the people of Indiana are great.”
White admitted he did not expect the crowd to embrace him like that.
“It’s just so crazy the difference of response here in Indiana versus Chicago. But one city is run by people who have common sense and the other one isn’t,” he said.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and Riley Gaines were also at the game, and were among the other spectators who flocked to White.
Gaines has her own history with Biles after they engaged in a social media spat in June 2025 over the topic of trans athletes in women’s sports.
But despite Gaines and Biles being in the same room together on Friday, White’s presence appeared to overshadow both of them, especially in social media discussion.
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Gaines, who was at her second WNBA game, also spoke about the difference in reception by fans in Indiana compared to her last outing. Gaines last attended the Fever vs Minnesota Lynx game in Minneapolis earlier this month.
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“My main takeaway is that when Minneapolis is booing you, it’s generally a good sign,” Gaines told OutKick “Especially for those of us with common sense and an ounce of integrity and a shred of honesty.”
