Enes Kanter Freedom, 34, was ejected from the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever on Sunday after a verbal confrontation with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud, also 34, during a third-quarter timeout [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The incident unfolded courtside when Cloud began shouting and pointing at Kanter Freedom, who was seated nearby [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Kanter Freedom, wearing a black T-shirt that read "WOMAN noun. Adult human female.", stood up and moved toward the court before security and arena personnel intervened and escorted him out [1, 2, 3, 5]. He also spoke with police before leaving the arena [1, 2, 5].
The Chicago Sky lost to the Indiana Fever 113-90 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Prior to the altercation, Kanter Freedom celebrated a three-pointer by Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, a friend he later defended amid the exchange [3, 4, 5]. Kanter Freedom said Cloud shouted profanities and personal insults at him, including "She’s not gonna sleep with you," referring to Cunningham. He responded, "I'm here to protect women and support Sophie Cunningham" [3, 4, 5]. Kanter Freedom tweeted after the event, "I just got kicked out of a WNBA game for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in, AMERICA!" [1].
Natasha Cloud posted a supportive message for transgender people on social media, writing, "To every trans kid/person, You are a part of MY community & tribe. You belong. You’re loved. You’re seen. You’re perfect as you are. & you will always be protected by me." [1]. Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh said that Cloud "did not want to be a distraction" and praised her for standing up for others. He urged fans to focus on the basketball, stating, "There’s so many good things about the play of these players... you should probably come to enjoy the basketball." [1, 2].
Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White described the confrontation as a "social media thing" and sought to downplay its importance: "I think it's important that people... don't give it any gas," she said [3]. However, former NBA and prospective WNBA player Royce White predicted Kanter Freedom could face suspension or bans from league events soon, comparing the situation to a previous incident involving a sex toy thrown onto the court at another game [4, 5].
Both Kanter Freedom and White have declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft as a challenge to the league's eligibility policies, which currently only allow women to play; no transgender athletes compete in the WNBA [1, 4]. Earlier this year, the WNBA experienced disruptions including protests that involved sex toy throwing to oppose its transgender athlete policies [1].
Kanter Freedom appeared on "The Ingraham Angle" on Monday to discuss the incident and share his perspective [5].
