Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from WNBA game after being confronted by Sky's Natasha Cloud

Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from Sunday night’s Indiana-Chicago WNBA game after he was confronted by Sky guard Natasha Cloud late in the third quarter. Freedom was sitting along the baseline wearing a black shirt that read “WOMAN noun. adult human female.” The Fever called for a timeout after Cloud scored inside with 1:22 left in the third. Cloud then did a chest bump with teammate Aicha Coulibaly before approaching Kanter, who was standing. Cloud, 34, started yelling and pointing at Kanter, also 34, as she approached him. Kanter held his arms out and took one step on the court before security intervened. Chicago forward Azura Stevens said security handled the incident, and the team focused on the game. Chicago coach Tyler Marsh stated Cloud was concerned about being a distraction but assured her she was protected. Freedom pleaded with security near the basket before being escorted from the court. He later spoke with police officers. Indiana star Caitlin Clark noted they were discussing the next play in the huddle, suggesting the incident was unrelated to the game. Cloud met with team and league security after the game but did not speak to the media. The WNBA has faced recent debates on whether transgender women—assigned male at birth but identifying as women—should participate. Although the league’s collective bargaining agreement restricts participation to women, it does not specify gender identity or sex assigned at birth. Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who opposes transgender women in sports, has declared herself eligible for the WNBA draft alongside former NBA player Royce White. Kanter joined a rally supporting Cunningham outside the arena before the game. Marsh praised the league and its players, emphasizing that fans should enjoy the basketball. The incident highlights ongoing discussions about inclusivity and gender identity in women’s sports.