Kanter Freedom details trigger for WNBA ejection dispute
The former NBA centre claims the altercation with Natasha Cloud began after a celebratory gesture following a three-point shot by Sophie Cunningham.
Former NBA centre Enes Kanter Freedom has provided a specific account of the events leading to his ejection from a WNBA game, pointing to a celebratory gesture as the initial trigger for the dispute.
According to Kanter Freedom, the incident occurred during a timeout late in the third quarter of the Indiana Fever versus Chicago Sky match at Wintrust Arena. He stated that Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham made a three-point shot, prompting him to raise his hands in celebration while seated courtside.
Kanter Freedom reported that Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud then approached him, screaming and yelling. He alleged that Cloud stated, “She’s not gonna sleep with you,” before the situation escalated to the point of his removal from the arena.
The ejection occurred during the Sky’s 113-90 loss to the Fever. While the immediate cause was the verbal confrontation, the incident has intensified broader debate regarding transgender athlete eligibility in the league.
Chicago Sky coach Tyler Marsh addressed the post-game fallout, framing the altercation as an act of team protection. Marsh stated that the organisation embraces Cloud as someone who protects the team, adding that the squad “stand for Tash.”
Kanter Freedom, who was wearing a black T-shirt that read “WOMAN noun. adult human female,” provided his comments to Jackson Thompson via Hoops Hype.
