Former NBA Player Ejected From WNBA Game After Transphobic Provocation

During a WNBA clash between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever, former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom sparked a chaotic moment on Sunday. After a calculated, transphobic stunt and a loud confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud—one of the league’s most prominent queer and socially engaged voices—security escorted the 34-year-old from Wintrust Arena.

Kanter Freedom, who in recent years has drawn attention mainly through guest appearances on right-leaning U.S. media, had premeditated the confrontation. Before the game, he joined a small rally outside the arena in support of Fever forward Sophie Cunningham. Cunningham, who has spent months advocating for a blanket exclusion of trans women from basketball—despite the fact that no transgender woman has ever played in the WNBA—the stance drew intense scrutiny.

Cunningham’s remarks made her a hero to the transphobic MAGA movement, which even received defense from Senator JD Vance (TheColu.mn reported). Kanter Freedom and Royce White, another former NBA player with far-right political leanings, mocked the debate by saying they would identify as women and sign up for the WNBA draft.

Inside the arena, Kanter Freedom sat at the sideline, donning a provocative T-shirt that read: “Woman — Noun: Adult, Female.” His message was clear: he believed that trans women are not real women and that transgender identity does not exist.

Natasha Cloud offers the challenge — Hall ban follows

The situation escalated in the third quarter. After Chicago scored and Fever called a timeout, 34-year-old Sky guard Natasha Cloud—one of the league’s most outspoken queer voices—stepped toward the provocateur. Cloud advanced toward Kanter Freedom, pointing at him and loudly confronting him. The exact words spoken aren’t fully captured on TV footage, but the confrontation was unmistakable.

When Kanter Freedom rose, spreading his arms and stepping onto the court, referees and security immediately intervened. Teammates restrained Cloud as officials signaled a clear arena ban for Kanter Freedom. The former pro tried in vain to argue at the sideline and incite the crowd, before being escorted from the venue by security and police.

Coach backs Cloud
After the game, Chicago head coach Tyler Marsh stood firmly behind his player: “Tash [Natasha Cloud] is someone who protects our team and the people who need protection. We are fully behind her.”
At the same time, Marsh delivered a pointed message to the troublemaker: anyone coming to a WNBA game should respect the sport and the performances of the athletes—something one would expect from a former basketball player.

Cloud on trans people: “You are a part of MY community”

Cloud herself also spoke up. On the social media platform Threads, she expressed solidarity with transgender people: “You are a part of MY community and MY tribe. You belong. You will be loved. You will be seen. You are perfect just as you are. And you will always be protected by me.”

Afterward, Kanter Freedom pressed his case on social media, continuing to cast himself as the injured party and claiming he was “just kicked out for supporting WOMEN.” Cunningham, who had kicked off the culture war in women’s basketball, has not publicly commented on the incident.

Earlier this week, German national team player Luisa Geiselsöder criticized Cunningham and Kanter Freedom’s stance, saying, “I think sports are for bringing people together. It would be a shame to exclude people.” (dk)