- Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from Sunday's Women's NBA match after a verbal altercation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
- Kanter Freedom, sitting at courtside, stood up and approached the court after Cloud began pointing and shouting at him during a timeout.
- Security and other Sky players intervened, and Kanter Freedom was escorted from the court.
- The Fever won the match 113-90.
- Earlier this month, Kanter Freedom declared he would enter next season's WNBA Draft, citing eligibility guidelines for transgender women players.
- After the game, Cloud expressed her support for trans individuals, stating: "To every trans kid/person, you are apart 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."
- Sky head coach Tyler Marsh commented that fans should come to enjoy the basketball, emphasizing the positive aspects of the league.
Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from a WNBA game on Sunday after a heated exchange with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. The incident occurred during a timeout when Cloud began pointing and shouting at Kanter Freedom, who was seated courtside. In response, he stood up with his arms outstretched and approached the court, prompting security and other players to intervene.123
Kanter Freedom, who wore a T-shirt reading "WOMAN noun. Adult human female." during the game, later took to social media to express his frustration, stating, "I just got kicked out of a WNBA game for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in, AMERICA!" His comments reflect his ongoing advocacy for women's rights amid the ongoing debate over transgender participation in women's sports.
Cloud, in a post-game statement, emphasized her support for the trans community, saying, "To every trans kid/person, you are apart 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." The Fever secured a decisive victory over the Sky, winning 113-90, with Sky head coach Tyler Marsh commenting on the importance of enjoying the game for its basketball merits.7
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding gender identity in sports, particularly as Kanter Freedom has announced plans to enter the upcoming WNBA Draft, citing current eligibility guidelines for transgender women players.5
“Kanter Freedom, who declared his intention to enter the WNBA Draft earlier this month, was escorted from Wintrust Arena after security intervened. Cloud later wrote on social media, 'You belong. You're loved. You're seen,' addressing trans kids and people.”
Forbes
BBC
