Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from Sunday’s WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky after a verbal confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
Kanter Freedom was sitting courtside wearing a black T-shirt that read, “WOMAN noun. adult human female.” During a timeout late in the third quarter, Cloud approached him and shouted at him. Kanter Freedom stood with his arms extended and took several steps toward the court before security intervened and escorted him from the arena.
Cloud was held back by teammates and security personnel as she continued shouting and pointing toward Kanter Freedom. She later spoke with team and league security but did not speak to reporters following Chicago’s 113-90 loss to Indiana.
Kanter Freedom later posted on social media that he had been removed from the game for “supporting WOMEN.”
The incident comes amid an ongoing national debate surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports and recent comments involving Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. Kanter Freedom has publicly inserted himself into that debate, including previously declaring himself eligible for the WNBA draft while saying he identifies as a woman.
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The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, signed in March, states that only players who are women are eligible to play in the league. ESPN reported that the league does not have a publicly available policy further defining eligibility for transgender or intersex athletes.
Fever coach Stephanie White urged reporters not to amplify the incident, calling it a social media issue. Fever guard Caitlin Clark said she did not see the confrontation because the team had already moved toward the sideline.
Sky coach Tyler Marsh defended Cloud, saying the team supports her and recognizes her willingness to stand up for people she believes need protection.
The Sky went on to defeat the Fever 113-90.
