Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from WNBA game after courtside confrontation with WNBA player

Former NBA player and current WNBA draft prospect Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from a WNBA game on Sunday between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever. Freedom was in attendance at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, wearing a shirt that read “woman, noun, adult human female.” He posted videos of himself on his social media accounts wearing the shirt before the game and a picture of him wearing it inside the arena.

With 1:22 left in the third quarter and the Fever holding an 81-75 lead, they called a timeout after Chicago Sky player Natasha Cloud made a basket. After Cloud scored, she appeared to have started yelling and screaming at Freedom, who was wearing his shirt while sitting courtside. There is no transcript of what Cloud said, but the video appears to show her initiating contact, yelling and screaming, and aggressively pointing her finger at Freedom as she walks over to him. 

Freedom then stood up, left his seat, and held his arms out as Cloud approached him. He began to walk toward her, stepping on the out-of-bounds section of the basketball court. Sky players walked over to stop Cloud, and security personnel walked over to stop Freedom. A WNBA referee is seen running over, waving her hands to tell security to remove Freedom.

After he was ejected, Freedom posted on social media about his ejection, claiming he was ejected “for supporting women.” 

“I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for supporting WOMEN,” Freedom posted. “Let that sink in, AMERICA.”

However, based on the available video and actions of the WNBA referee, it would appear more likely he was ejected for violating the WNBA’s Fan Code of Conduct. 

“The Women’s National Basketball Association is committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable sports and entertainment experience,” reads the code. “WNBA fans have a right to expect an environment where there is No Space For Hate.”

Among the topics covered in the code is fan behavior and the consequences if a fan tries to enter the court of play.

“Guests who engage in fighting, throwing objects, or attempting to enter the court will be immediately ejected from the arena,” the code of conduct reads.

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After the game, Cloud did not speak to the media. However, she later posted her own social media message in defense of transgender people.

“To every trans kid/person, you are apart of my community & tribe,” Cloud posted on the Threads social media platform. “You belong. You’re loved. You’re seen. You’re perfect as you are. & you will always be protected by me.”