Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom was removed from the Indiana-Chicago WNBA game on Sunday night following a confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud in the third quarter. Kanter, who was seated along the baseline wearing a black shirt with the message “WOMAN noun. adult human female,” engaged in a verbal altercation with Cloud after a timeout was called. Cloud, visibly upset, approached Kanter, prompting security and players to intervene.
Chicago forward Azura Stevens refrained from commenting on the incident, focusing on the game instead. Coach Tyler Marsh reassured Cloud that her actions did not distract the team, emphasizing their support for her. As Kanter was escorted off the court area, he attempted to explain his actions to security. Cloud later met with team and league security post-game but did not address the media. She did, however, share a supportive message on social media directed towards the transgender community.
Debates surrounding transgender women participating in the WNBA, particularly those assigned male at birth, have been ongoing. Layshia Clarendon, the WNBA’s first openly transgender and non-binary player, retired in 2024. The league’s collective bargaining agreement does not specifically address gender identity or sex assigned at birth. Former NBA players like Kanter and Royce White have humorously expressed interest in joining the WNBA draft as identifying as women.
The incident involving Kanter and Cloud has reignited discussions on transgender inclusion in sports, with differing views within the WNBA community. Despite the controversy, the focus remains on the game and supporting all players on and off the court.