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Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from Sunday’s WNBA game after a confrontation with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud. Security escorted Freedom from Wintrust Arena during Chicago’s 113-90 loss to the Indiana Fever.
The incident happened late in the third quarter on Aug. 23. Freedom, 34, was sitting in a courtside baseline seat when Cloud approached him during a timeout.
Enes Kanter Freedom Ejected During Third Quarter
The Fever called a timeout after Cloud scored with 1:22 remaining in the quarter. Cloud celebrated with teammate Aicha Coulibaly before turning toward Freedom.
Video showed Cloud pointing and yelling as she walked in his direction. Freedom stood, extended his arms and stepped toward the court.
Security personnel, a game official and several Sky players moved between them. Cloud’s teammates guided her away while officials ordered Freedom to leave the arena.
Freedom stopped near the basket while speaking with security. He then displayed his black T-shirt to spectators as officers escorted him toward the lobby.
The shirt included a dictionary-style message defining the word “woman” as an adult human female. Freedom later spoke with police officers before leaving Wintrust Arena.
Sky Responds to Courtside Confrontation
Cloud did not speak with reporters following the game. She later posted a social media message expressing support for transgender people.
Chicago coach Tyler Marsh said Cloud worried the incident had distracted her teammates. However, Marsh said the organization supported her commitment to protecting others.
Marsh also encouraged spectators to attend WNBA games to appreciate the players and the competition.
“There’s so many good things about this league,” Marsh said during his postgame comments. He added that the players deserve respect from those attending games.
Sky forward Azura Stevens described the exchange as a fan incident. She said security addressed the situation and the team remained focused on basketball.
Indiana star Caitlin Clark said she did not see the confrontation. Clark explained that the Fever was discussing its next play during the timeout.
Incident Follows Debate Over WNBA Eligibility
Freedom attended a small rally outside the arena before the game. The event supported Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has opposed transgender participation in women’s sports.
Freedom and former NBA player Royce White have said they identify as women and want consideration for the 2027 WNBA Draft. Their declarations came amid a broader political debate about eligibility rules in women’s sports.
The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement states that only women may play in the league. However, the agreement does not provide more detailed public language regarding gender identity or sex assigned at birth. The league has never had a known transgender player.
Freedom played 11 NBA seasons between 2011 and 2022. He averaged 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds across 748 regular-season games.
Cloud, also 34, is playing her first season with Chicago and her 11th in the WNBA. She previously played for Washington, Phoenix and New York.
The Fever-Sky game continued after security removed Freedom. Chicago officials have not announced whether the former NBA player will face additional arena restrictions following the confrontation.