Former NBA player Enes Kanter ejected after confrontation with WNBA’s Cloud

Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from a WNBA game in Chicago after a verbal clash with Sky guard Natasha Cloud during the third quarter of the Fever’s 113‑90 loss to the Indiana Fever. Kanter, seated courtside, rose and stepped toward the court with his arms outstretched after Cloud began pointing and yelling at him during an Indiana timeout. Security and an official intervened, separating the two, and the official signaled Kanter’s removal; arena staff escorted him out while he later posted on X that he was “kicked out … for supporting WOMEN.” Cloud, also 34, did not speak to the media after the game but posted a supportive message to transgender youth on social media and later spoke with team and league security.

The incident unfolded against a broader debate over transgender participation in women’s sports, a topic that has increasingly divided the WNBA community. The league has never had a publicly known transgender player, and its collective bargaining agreement simply states that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” leaving policy ambiguous. The controversy was heightened by Indiana Fever forward Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments asserting that women’s sports should be reserved for biological women, remarks that sparked both support and protest outside WNBA arenas. Kanter Freedom, a longtime vocal advocate on social issues, and former NBA player Royce White have publicly discussed the possibility of entering the 2027 WNBA Draft as women, further fueling the discussion.

Sky coach Tyler Marsh addressed the incident at the post‑game press conference, emphasizing that Cloud did not want to be a distraction and that the team stands behind her as a protector of the squad and of those who need protection. Marsh urged spectators to focus on the basketball, noting that former players should respect the league’s purpose. Cloud, in her 11th WNBA season and first with Chicago, entered the game averaging 11.4 points and 5.0 assists, underscoring her role as a key contributor despite the off‑court turmoil.

⚡ Effects Interpreter