Enes Kanter Freedom, a former NBA center, was removed from the Indiana-Chicago WNBA game on Sunday night following a confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud in the third quarter. Kanter, seated along the baseline, wore a black shirt displaying the message “WOMAN noun. adult human female.”
After Cloud scored a basket with 1:22 remaining in the third quarter, a timeout was called by the Fever. Following this, Cloud engaged in a chest bump with her teammate before turning towards Kanter. Cloud, visibly upset, approached Kanter while shouting and pointing at him. Security and several Sky players intervened, separating the two.
Chicago forward Azura Stevens commented on the incident, stating that it was a fan-related issue that was promptly addressed by security. The focus was shifted back to the game after the situation was handled.
Coach Tyler Marsh reassured Cloud that she was not a distraction to the team, emphasizing her role in protecting and supporting the team. Kanter, on the other hand, made his case to the security personnel before being escorted out of the court area.
Following the game, Cloud met with team and league security but did not engage with the media. Instead, she shared a supportive message on Threads addressing the transgender community.
The WNBA has become a topic of debate regarding the inclusion of transgender women in the league. Layshia Clarendon, the first openly transgender and non-binary player in the WNBA, retired in 2024. The league’s collective bargaining agreement does not have specific language regarding gender identity or sex assigned at birth.
Former NBA players, including Kanter and Royce White, have humorously expressed interest in entering the WNBA draft as transgender women. Kanter participated in a rally supporting Sophie Cunningham, who opposes transgender individuals competing in women’s sports.
In response to the incident involving Kanter, Coach Marsh highlighted the importance of respecting the game and the players. He emphasized the need for fans to enjoy basketball without distractions.
The incident involving Kanter and Cloud underscores the ongoing discussions and controversies surrounding transgender individuals in sports and their participation in gender-specific leagues.
