Former NBA Star Enes Kanter Freedom Banned from WNBA Game After Heated Exchange with Chicago Sky Player

By Sam Barron | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 10:01 PM EDT

Former NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom said he did not deserve to be removed from a WNBA game after a heated exchange with Natasha Cloud.

Freedom stated that he attended Sunday’s game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky to support the Fever’s Sophie Cunningham, who recently said biological men should not play women’s sports.

He said Cloud, who plays for the Sky, yelled that Cunningham was not going to sleep with him.

“I’m just here to support my friend and protect women,” Freedom said. “And then she started to cuss at me. She started to yell at me.”

Freedom was escorted from the arena and banned from all Chicago Sky home games.

“I played 11 years in the NBA. I know the rules,” Freedom said. “As a fan, you’re not allowed to touch a player. You’re not allowed to step over the baseline or the sideline. I literally opened my arms.”

“I respect the players. I respect the rules,” Freedom added. “They should have warned me.”

Freedom said fans used to scream obscenities at him and throw things at him.

“NBA security … said they’re allowed to do that because it’s their free speech,” Freedom said. “You guys just calm down and focus on the game. That’s exactly what should be done with the WNBA.”

The former NBA star said he is committed to seeking an opportunity to play in the WNBA until its collective bargaining agreement specifies that only biological women can play in the league.

As part of that effort, Freedom said he identifies as a transgender woman.

“Article 13, Section 1 says if you identify as a woman, you’re allowed to play,” Freedom said. “So, I am identifying as a woman. This is my journey. I’m allowed to feel whatever I want.”

Article 13, Section 1 states: “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”

Freedom added, “Maybe tomorrow I’m going to wake up and I’m going to say, I feel like a Pokemon.”

“If tomorrow, if they come out and say, OK, we are adding the word biological next to the female in our collective bargaining, I will drop everything immediately,” Freedom continued. “But until then, I’m just a rule follower, right? I’m just following the rules.”