CHICAGO (WBBM Newsradio) – Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was removed from Wintrust Arena Sunday night after a courtside confrontation with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud during the Sky’s game against the Indiana Fever.
The incident happened late in the third quarter after Cloud scored with 1:22 remaining and Indiana called a timeout.
Cloud turned toward Freedom, who was seated near the baseline, and began yelling and pointing in his direction. Freedom stood up, held out his arms and took a step toward the court before security personnel and several Sky players moved between them.
Freedom was wearing a black T-shirt that read, “WOMAN noun. adult human female,” a message associated with the broader debate over transgender participation in women’s sports.
Former basketball player Enes Kanter Freedom poses for a photo courtside prior to the game between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena
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Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, has recently inserted himself into that debate. He and former NBA player Royce White have said they identify as women and declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft. Freedom also attended a small rally outside Wintrust Arena before Sunday’s game in support of Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has publicly opposed transgender women competing in women’s sports.
The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement states that only women are eligible to play in the league but does not include more specific language defining eligibility based on gender identity or sex assigned at birth. No openly transgender woman has played in the WNBA.
After security intervened Sunday, Freedom stopped near the basket while arguing his case before being escorted from the court area. As he left, he held out his shirt and gestured toward the crowd.
Sky head coach Tyler Marsh said Cloud was concerned afterward that the incident had distracted from the game.
“Tash didn't wanna feel like she was a distraction. I told her she wasn't,” Marsh said. “I told her that we all embrace her as someone that protects our team and protects people that need to be protected.”
Marsh said the team helped Cloud settle down and refocus on the game.
“She knew how important it was to kind of lock back in for us,” Marsh said.
Cloud did not speak with reporters after the game and met with team and league security.
Marsh later suggested Freedom, as a former professional basketball player, should have kept his attention on the game.
“If you come to a game, you should probably come to enjoy the basketball,” Marsh said. “I think these players deserve that and have earned that.”
Indiana defeated Chicago 113-90.
