Kanter Freedom Ejected After Courtside Clash With Cloud

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from a WNBA game after a verbal confrontation.

Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from Sunday night's Chicago Sky–Indiana Fever game at Wintrust Arena after a heated courtside confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. Freedom, seated near the baseline, was wearing a black shirt reading "WOMAN noun. adult human female." The exchange began after he cheered a three-pointer by Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, a friend who has publicly opposed transgender athletes competing in women's sports. Video showed Cloud walking toward Freedom, yelling and pointing late in the third quarter. Freedom stood and stepped toward the court before security and Sky players intervened. He was then escorted from the arena.

According to Freedom, the confrontation began after he celebrated Cunningham's three-pointer. He told OutKick that Cloud approached him a few possessions later and said, "She's not gonna sleep with you." Freedom said he responded that he was not trying to sleep with Cunningham and was there to support women. He claimed Cloud then used heavy profanity in front of children and teenagers in the stands. Freedom said he believes the shirt contributed to Cloud's reaction. Cloud was not made available during the team's postgame press conference. OutKick reached out to Cloud's representative for further comment.

After the game, Cloud posted a message on Threads affirming support for the transgender community, writing that trans people are part of her community and will always be protected by her. Sky head coach Tyler Marsh defended Cloud, telling reporters the team embraces her as someone who protects the team and people who need protection. Marsh also addressed Freedom directly, saying that if someone comes to a game they should come to enjoy the basketball and that players deserve that. He added that being a former basketball player, Freedom should understand that.

Freedom's behavior drew criticism from former NBA teammate Evan Turner, who played alongside him in Portland in 2019. According to Yahoo Sports, Turner called Freedom out on social media, asking "What are you doing brother?" and stating the WNBA is doing perfectly fine without that kind of help, calling it a distraction that is disrespectful. WNBA fans also called for Freedom to be banned from all league arenas. Prominent women's sports writer Howard Megdal urged the league to ban Freedom, saying to give exactly as much attention as required and nothing more.

The confrontation comes amid heightened tension around WNBA eligibility rules. Freedom and former NBA player Royce White both declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft to challenge the league's eligibility standards. The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement states that "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA" but does not publicly define the term or establish specific requirements for transgender athletes. According to theScore, sources told ESPN's Kareem Copeland that Freedom and White won't be eligible to play in the WNBA. No known transgender woman has ever played in the league.

According to 930 WFMD, Royce White predicted the WNBA will suspend or ban Freedom from league events, comparing the situation to other spectator incidents and suggesting a statement is coming within days. Freedom said the ejection has only increased his determination to pursue a place in the league, telling OutKick he cannot wait to go against Cloud if drafted by another team. He also offered to speak directly with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The WNBA has not announced any plans to ban Freedom from future games following his ejection. The Fever defeated the Sky 113-90, with Caitlin Clark scoring 37 points.