Ex-NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from WNBA game after confrontation with Natasha Cloud
Consensus Summary
Ex-NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from a WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky after a heated confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud late in the third quarter on Sunday night (Monday AEST). Kanter, wearing a shirt declaring 'WOMAN noun. adult human female,' was escorted off the court after Cloud pointed and yelled at him. Both players are 34 years old, and the Sky lost the game 113-90. Kanter and Royce White recently declared eligibility for the WNBA draft this month, citing their identification as women. The incident has reignited debates about transgender athletes in women's sports, with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert denouncing divisiveness last week. Protesters outside the game used derogatory language toward Kanter, while players like Sophie Cunningham have publicly opposed transgender participation in women's sports. The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement restricts play to women but lacks specific language on gender identity.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from a WNBA game (Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky) after a confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud late in the third quarter on Sunday night (Monday AEST).
- The timeout was called with 1:22 left in the third quarter after Cloud scored.
- Kanter was wearing a black shirt that read 'WOMAN noun. adult human female' during the incident.
- Kanter and Royce White declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft this month, stating they identify as women.
- Natasha Cloud is 34 years old.
- Enes Kanter Freedom is 34 years old.
- The Chicago Sky lost the game with a final score of 113-90.
- WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert denounced attempts to 'sow divisiveness' over transgender athletes last week.
- There has never been a transgender woman player in the WNBA.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Protesters outside the game called Kanter a 'bitch' and told him to 'get his bitch ass out of Chicago'.
- Sophie Cunningham previously voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls' and women's sports in an ESPN profile.
- Cunningham stated she 'never once said' she hated trans people but believes in protecting young girls in locker rooms and sports.
- Engelbert sent a memo this month to team presidents and general managers saying the league would discuss transgender women in women's basketball.
- Engelbert's comments were made during a pre-game gathering before a Fever-Wings game in Dallas last week.
- Cloud did a chest bump with teammate Aicha Coulibaly before confronting Kanter.
- Chicago coach Tyler Marsh praised the league and its players, saying fans should come to enjoy basketball rather than engage in political debates.
- Cloud met with team and league security after the game but did not speak with the media.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The ABC article mentions the confrontation occurred during a game featuring Indiana star Sophie Cunningham, but the Guardian does not mention Cunningham's involvement in the game itself.
Source Articles
Ex-NBA player who says he identifies as woman ejected from WNBA game
A former NBA player who says he now identifies as a woman is ejected from a WNBA game after an explosive confrontation with players.
Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from WNBA game after confrontation with Natasha Cloud
Former NBA center criticized WNBA’s transgender policy Cloud yelled and pointed in his direction after scoring Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from Sunday night’s Indiana Fever v Chicago Sky WNBA game after he was confronted by Sky guard Natasha Cloud late in the third quarter. Freedom was sitting along the baseline. He had on a black shirt that read “WOMAN. Noun. Adult human female.” Continue reading...
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