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Royce White, a former NBA player who has also declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft, believes the league will go beyond ejecting Enes Kanter Freedom from Sunday’s game and impose a lengthy ban from league events. White discussed his prediction during an appearance Monday on “Don’t @ Me w/ Dan Dakich,” referencing the viral confrontation that occurred during Indiana’s 113-90 victory over Chicago at a WNBA game in the Windy City.
The incident unfolded during the third quarter when Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud initiated conversation toward Freedom, who was seated courtside. Freedom stood and moved toward the playing surface, prompting Cloud to approach him before security personnel removed him from the venue. White suggested the league would characterize Freedom’s actions as instigating a conflict with a player, a violation of established boundaries between spectators and athletes.
White predicted an official league statement would follow within days, potentially banning Freedom indefinitely from WNBA and NBA venues. He drew comparison to previous cases involving fan misconduct, arguing the WNBA would apply similar enforcement regardless of the differing circumstances, citing the political and controversial nature of the situation.
Freedom later provided his account to Fox News Digital, stating he had raised his hands to celebrate Sophie Cunningham’s three-pointer before Cloud returned moments later with hostile language. Freedom maintained he was present to support women’s rights and disputed Cloud’s characterization of his intentions, noting the presence of young spectators nearby.
Both Freedom and White declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft this month as a formal challenge to the league’s eligibility standards. The action followed backlash directed at Fever star Sophie Cunningham for expressing that women’s sports should remain exclusive to women. The WNBA’s current collective bargaining agreement restricts eligibility to women but does not publicly define the term or establish specific requirements for transgender athletes.
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