CALGARY — Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was escorted from a WNBA game Sunday night after a confrontation with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud during the team's game against the Indiana Fever.The incident occurred late in the third quarter of the Sky's 113-90 loss to the Fever at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.Freedom was seated along the baseline when Cloud scored with about 1:22 remaining in the third quarter. Following the play, Cloud turned toward Kanter Freedom and began yelling and pointing in his direction.Kanter Freedom stood up and moved toward the court. Security personnel and several Sky players intervened between the two before security escorted him from the arena.Kanter Freedom was wearing a black T-shirt that read, “WOMAN noun. adult human female.”.Freedom later discussed the confrontation publicly, alleging that Cloud made ''vulgar comments'' towards him before security intervened.The former NBA center recently announced plans to pursue eligibility for the 2027 WNBA Draft. He has argued that the league's policies could allow him to compete and has used his campaign to draw attention to questions surrounding gender eligibility in women's basketball.He has also pointed to the financial gap between the leagues, claiming G League players earn roughly $45,000 annually while top WNBA players can make substantially more, and arguing that the difference would provide a significant financial incentive for players to pursue his challenge.Freedom has also claimed that other professional basketball players are considering joining his effort. Former NBA player Royce White has separately announced that he intends to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft. White has described his move as a challenge to the league's approach to gender eligibility..The WNBA's existing draft rules contain requirements beyond simply submitting a declaration. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, domestic players generally must meet age and college-eligibility requirements, while the agreement contains separate provisions for players who attended four-year colleges and for international players.The WNBA has also addressed the broader controversy surrounding transgender participation.In a statement, the league described recent efforts to provoke controversy over transgender athletes as "bad-faith" efforts and said there were no current eligibility issues involving transgender players. The league said it remained committed to fair competition and respectful discussion.The controversy follows comments from Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham about transgender athletes in women's sports, which generated debate both inside and outside the league..While the WNBA has not commented on Kanter Freedom's declaration, the league's players' union has previously voiced support for transgender inclusion.In a public statement, the WNBPA said it represents players with diverse backgrounds and is committed to "justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion," adding that those values allow it to protect women's sports while fostering "transformational change."The union also denounced "hate, abuse, and demonization" directed at any group, including transgender people, and encouraged fans to report abusive behaviour both at games and online.The statement did not reference Kanter Freedom or address whether a former NBA player would be eligible to enter the WNBA draft.
