Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from Wintrust Arena on Sunday following a verbal altercation with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud. The incident occurred during the third quarter of the Sky’s 113-90 loss to the Indiana Fever, as Kanter Freedom sat courtside wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with the words: “WOMAN noun. Adult human female.”
As an Indiana timeout began, Cloud approached the courtside area, pointing and yelling at Kanter Freedom. In response, the 34-year-old former NBA player stood up and stepped toward the court with his arms outstretched. Security personnel and a game official quickly intervened to separate the two, while Cloud’s teammates moved her away from the area. The official subsequently signaled for Kanter Freedom’s removal, and he was escorted from the building by arena security after a brief discussion with police officers.
Following the game, Cloud consulted with league and team security but did not speak to the media. She later addressed the situation on social media, writing, “To every trans kid/person, You are a part 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.” Kanter Freedom also took to his X account, stating, “I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in, America. And, like I said, I’m gonna stand true to that.”
Chicago Sky coach Tyler Marsh defended his player during the postgame news conference, noting that Cloud did not want to be a distraction. “I told her she wasn’t,” Marsh remarked. “We all embrace her as someone who protects our team and people who need to be protected. Tash is always gonna stand on that, and we stand for Tash.” Marsh also addressed the crowd, suggesting that spectators should focus on the quality of play, adding, “Being a former basketball player, you should probably understand and feel that, too.”
The incident occurs amid ongoing debates regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports. While the WNBA has never featured a known transgender player, the league’s collective bargaining agreement, signed in March, specifies that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.” The topic gained further attention recently when Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham expressed her belief that biological women’s rights must be protected in sports, though she clarified that she does not harbor hatred toward the trans community.
Kanter Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the NBA across five teams, has frequently spoken out on social issues. Media reports indicate that both he and former NBA player Royce White have expressed interest in the 2027 WNBA Draft, claiming to identify as women. These developments have led to public rallies outside various WNBA arenas.
Natasha Cloud is currently in her 11th WNBA season and her first with the Chicago Sky. Across 36 games this season, she has averaged 11.4 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.6 rebounds over 29.1 minutes per game. Her career includes previous stints with the Washington Mystics, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty. The report also notes that i think these players deserve that and have earned that. The report also notes that formerly known as Enes Kanter, played centre for 11 years in the NBA for five teams from 2011-12 to 2021-22 and averaged 11.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 21.5 minutes in 748 regular-season games (259 starts), kanter Freedom. The report also notes that cunningham emphasised in her remarks last month in an ESPN profile that “girls should never have to compete with biological men”. The report also notes that cunningham later said on July 22 that she does not “dislike anyone” and that there is “room to love everyone”. The report also notes that she entered Sunday averaging 11.4 points, 5.0 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 29.1 minutes in 36 games (23 starts). The report also notes that she has also played for the Washington Mystics (2015-19, 2021-23), the Phoenix Mercury (2024) and the New York Liberty (2025).
