Who is Lexi Rodgers? Trans basketball star weighs in on eligibility debate amid NBL1 bid

Lexi Rodgers
Lexi Rodgers is a transgender athlete who wants to play in the NBL1 women's basketball league (Image via Sportskeeda)

Lexi Rodgers is a transgender athlete who has expressed a desire to play in the NBL1, a women's basketball league. This has sparked a lot of controversy as many fans and athletes are against trans women playing in women's sports.

Andrew Bogut, a former NBA player, does not like the idea of Rodgers playing in the women's league. The big man is a strong opponent of biological men playing against women as they have a big physical advantage.

Rodgers has already applied to play in the league and it will be interesting to see how the league handles this decision. Allowing trans women to play among biological women could set a dangerous precedent that could negatively impact the league.


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Lexi Rodgers wants to keep playing basketball after transitioning

Lexi Rodgers applied to play for the Kilsyth Cobras in the NBL1 South basketball league. Rodgers' application is currently being reviewed by the league and she may soon return to the floor.

The basketball player decided to transition during the coronavirus pandemic. She went through a tough breakup and her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, which is when she felt like she hit rock bottom.

Rodgers struggled with her identity for a long time. Ever since she entered puberty, she felt like she wanted to be a girl.

Lexi Rodgers is 23 and comes from Melbourne, Australia. She's been in love with basketball for a long time, which she shared on the "Under the Surface" podcast with Anneli Maley. Maley is a former WNBL player. However, Rodgers was also aware that her transition could affect her basketball career.

"When I transitioned it went through my head, 'If you do this then you're not gonna be playing sport,' and that was tough, but that was the decision I made in my head," Rodgers said.

You may be interested in reading: Meet Layshia Clarendon, the only WNBA player who is transgender and know their journey in the league so far

The league was very close to accepting Lexi Rodgers' application to play. However, the issue has become public, which is why Basketball Australia, a body that organizes basketball in Australia, decided to deal with it.

Andrew Bogut is against Rodgers playing among biological women (Image via Getty Images)
Andrew Bogut is against Rodgers playing among biological women (Image via Getty Images)

Rodgers has received a lot of support, but some people disagree with her playing among biological women. Andrew Bogut, the former NBA champion, has been very outspoken about the problem and is not going to be happy if Lexi Rodgers' application is approved.

Basketball Australia doesn't have an official policy regarding transgender women, although each Australian state has its own guidelines regarding these issues.

You may be interested in reading: Who is the 1st trans MMA fighter ? Can they fight in the UFC?

The trans basketball player is committed to playing basketball and making it her career. However, the official decision regarding her status still hasn't been brought.

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Edited by Asmir Pekmic
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