Enes Kanter Freedom Ejected from Chicago Sky Game After Altercation

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from the Indiana Fever versus Chicago Sky game on Sunday after a verbal confrontation with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, according to ESPN.

The incident occurred late in the third quarter during a timeout when Cloud approached Kanter Freedom, who was courtside wearing a black T-shirt with the definition "WOMAN noun. adult human female." Kanter Freedom stood with arms outstretched and moved toward the court before security escorted him out.

Kanter Freedom responded to his ejection on social media, stating, "I just got kicked out of a WNBA game for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in, AMERICA!" He also criticized Cloud by saying, "It's always women hating on other women," as reported by ESPN and The Athletic.

Chicago Sky coach Tyler Marsh defended Cloud, saying, "I told her she wasn't a distraction. I told her that we all embrace her as someone that protects our team and protects people that need to be protected and so Tash is always going to stand on that, and we stand for Tash." Marsh emphasized the importance of enjoying the basketball, adding, "If you come to a game, you should probably come to enjoy the basketball.

That seems pretty simple to me. I think these players deserve that and have earned that, and being a former basketball player, you should probably understand and feel that, too," according to USA Today.

Before the game, Kanter Freedom was confronted by hostile fans outside the arena, with security trying to shield him as he wore the same T-shirt, according to Fox News. The altercation and his presence sparked renewed debate over transgender athlete participation in women's sports, which has been a contentious issue in the WNBA since Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham publicly opposed transgender participation.

The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement states that "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA," but does not define "woman" nor does the league have a public policy on transgender or intersex athlete eligibility, as reported by ESPN and USA Today.

Cloud finished the game with a team-high 16 points and seven assists in the Sky's 113-90 loss to the Fever. Cloud did not comment to the media postgame, but coach Marsh reiterated support for her stance and role on the team.

The controversy has also led to protests and incidents at other WNBA games, including fans being asked to cover shirts with chromosomes and a Seattle Storm co-owner's suspension for comments, according to USA Today and The New York Times.