Kanter Ejected After Claiming Cloud Comment
Enes Kanter claims he was ejected from a WNBA game after confronting Natasha Cloud over a comment about Sophie Cunningham.
The update
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was removed from a Chicago Sky game against the Indiana Fever on Sunday after a sideline confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. Kanter claims Cloud directed a comment toward him during the third quarter, prompting him to stand and approach the court. Security and officials intervened, leading to his ejection. Cloud’s teammates separated the two players, and Kanter was escorted out of the arena.
Why it matters
The incident occurs amid heightened attention on transgender inclusion in women’s sports. Kanter has recently campaigned for eligibility in the WNBA Draft, identifying as a woman. This incident adds a layer of on-court tension to that broader debate, bringing the conversation into the arena.
What to watch
League officials have not yet released a statement on the specific comment or the ejection. Cloud addressed the situation on social media, stating she belongs to the trans community. The exact wording of Cloud’s comment remains a point of contention between the parties involved.
Sources
- HITC — Kanter's perspective on the comment and confrontation
- cbssports.com — sequence of events, ejection details, context of Kanter's activism