Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from WNBA game after wearing anti-trans T-shirt
Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from an WNBA game (Image: Getty Images)
Former NBA centre Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from Sunday night’s WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky after a courtside confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
Freedom was seated along the court wearing a black shirt that read: “WOMAN noun. adult human female.” The stunt came days after he declared himself eligible for the WNBA, as the trans-inclusion debate in the sport continues.
During the game, Cloud reportedly approached Freedom, yelling and pointing at him. Freedom then stood up, extended his arms, and took a step onto the court before security and a number of Sky players stepped between them.
Freedom stopped near the basket to argue his case to security as he was escorted from the court area. He later departed Wintrust Arena.
Chicago forward Azura Stevens played down the disruption afterwards, saying, as per The Independent: “There was just a fan incident and the security handled it, and we’re just going to focus on the game”.
Chicago coach Tyler Marsh said Cloud was worried about becoming a distraction. “I told her she wasn’t,” he said. “I told her that we all embrace her as someone that protects our team and protects people that need to be protected and so Tash is always going to stand on that, and we stand for Tash.”
Cloud met with team and league security after the game but did not speak with the media.
The WNBA has recently been the focus of debate over whether transgender women should be allowed to compete in the league, despite the fact no transgender athlete has ever played in the WNBA. The league’s collective bargaining agreement states it is restricted to women, but contains no specific language regarding gender identity or sex.
Last week, a number of fans were approached by security for wearing T-shirts either supporting trans women or disagreeing with trans athletes. The WNBA apologised, saying the fans should not have been approached.
Freedom’s anti-trans stunts
Earlier in August, Freedom, alongside fellow ex-NBA player Royce White, declared themselves eligible for the WNBA, stating they were women.
Freedine wrote on X: “If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in WNBA.”
His post continued: “My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility critera and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion. Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027.”
Since then, the WNBA spoke out against the recent discussion about the league. A spokesperson told the Associated Press: “There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA, and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalise others.”
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