Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom was removed from the Indiana-Chicago WNBA game on Sunday night following a confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud during the third quarter. Kanter, seated along the baseline, wore a black shirt with the inscription “WOMAN noun. adult human female.”
After Cloud’s scoring play in the third quarter, she engaged in a chest bump with a teammate before approaching Kanter. Cloud, 34, began shouting and gesturing towards Kanter, who stood up and took a step onto the court as security and some Sky players intervened.
Chicago forward Azura Stevens commented on the incident, stating that it was a fan-related issue that was promptly handled by security. Kanter, while being escorted out, paused near the basket to address security and encouraged the crowd’s reaction as he exited towards the front lobby.
Cloud, concerned about being a distraction, met with team and league security post-game and did not address the media. However, she posted a message on Threads directed towards transgender individuals, expressing support and reassurance.
The WNBA has been a topic of debate regarding the inclusion of transgender women who transitioned from male to female. Layshia Clarendon, the WNBA’s first openly transgender and non-binary player, retired in 2024. While the league’s collective bargaining agreement stipulates the WNBA is for women, it lacks specific language on gender identity or sex assigned at birth.
Former NBA players like Kanter and Royce White have jokingly declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft as women. Kanter even participated in a rally supporting those against transgender individuals in women’s sports.
Chicago coach Tyler Marsh emphasized the importance of enjoying the game and respecting the players, highlighting the need for a positive basketball experience for all attendees.
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