Enes Kanter Freedom Details Confrontation With Natasha Cloud That Resulted in Game Ejection

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom provided an account of his removal from Sunday’s WNBA matchup between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena, alleging that guard Natasha Cloud initiated a confrontation after he cheered for a three-pointer. Freedom said Cloud made vulgar remarks and used profanity repeatedly before security escorted him from the arena during the third quarter.

According to Freedom’s recollection, the incident began when he celebrated a basket by Fever guard Sophie Cunningham while seated near the baseline. Freedom stated that Cloud subsequently approached him, made an unwelcome remark, and escalated to yelling and cursing within earshot of young spectators at the game. He expressed surprise at the language Cloud used in front of children and teenagers in attendance.

Video footage captured Cloud walking toward Freedom with 1:22 remaining in the third quarter, gesturing while he stood and extended his arms before security and Sky players intervened. Freedom attributed part of Cloud’s reaction to a black shirt he wore that read “WOMAN noun. adult human female,” suggesting the garment may have provoked her response.

Cloud responded to the incident with a post on Threads directed at the transgender community, writing that trans individuals are part of her community and will always be protected. She did not attend the Sky’s postgame press conference, and Chicago coach Tyler Marsh publicly supported Cloud, describing her as someone who protects the team and vulnerable people.

Freedom said he asked arena security for an explanation before leaving but received none. He noted that his manager had informed Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca in advance that Freedom planned to attend the game peacefully to watch basketball.

The confrontation occurred as Freedom pursues his stated intention to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, an announcement he made earlier this month. He has framed his effort as prompting the WNBA to clarify eligibility standards, noting that the league’s collective bargaining agreement requires players to be women but does not define the term or establish specific requirements for transgender athletes.

Freedom rejected characterizations that his campaign is anti-transgender or anti-LGBTQ, stating he respects personal choices and all communities. He said the Fever defeated the Sky 113-90, with Fever guard Caitlin Clark scoring 37 points and Kelsey Mitchell contributing 30.

Freedom indicated he has not heard from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert since announcing his draft aspirations but expressed openness to a direct conversation with league leadership. He attended a rally supporting Cunningham outside the arena before the game, as Cunningham has faced demonstrations following her statements opposing transgender girls and women competing in female sports categories.

The former 6-foot-10 center claimed that other professional athletes have privately expressed interest in pursuing similar paths, citing two former NBA players, three European players, and three NBA G League players with whom he is communicating. He noted that G League players referenced potential financial motivation, as the new WNBA salary structure offers significantly higher compensation than their current earnings.

Despite the confrontation, Freedom praised Cloud’s on-court abilities and impact on her teammates’ performance. He stated he has never previously spoken with Cloud and expressed that the dispute should not be viewed through a partisan political lens.

Freedom said a brief interaction with a young girl and her mother outside the arena after the game proved emotionally significant, as the parent thanked him for advocating on behalf of her daughter. He emphasized that his position represents common sense rather than politics and that he remains prepared to play in the WNBA if the league does not issue new eligibility rules before the April draft.