Former NBA Player Enes Kanter Freedom Ejected from WNBA Game

Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom was removed from a WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky on August 23, 2026. Kanter Freedom attended the event at Wintrust Arena in Chicago wearing a shirt that defined the word “woman” as an “adult human female.”

Kanter Freedom reported that he faced verbal confrontations from fans outside the arena before the game. During the third quarter, a verbal exchange occurred between Kanter Freedom and Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud. Kanter Freedom stated that the interaction began after he celebrated a shot by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, leading to a confrontation where Cloud allegedly made remarks regarding his intentions. Following the exchange, security personnel ejected Kanter Freedom from the arena.

Kanter Freedom later stated on social media that his removal was a response to his public stance on the inclusion of trans-identified individuals in women’s sports. The incident has drawn attention as the WNBA continues to face ongoing public debate regarding its policies on gender identity and sports participation.