Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from Wintrust Arena after Natasha Cloud confrontation; WNBA eligibility question sharpens ahead of 2027 draft

The catalyst in focus: security removed Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena during Sunday night's Indiana Fever win over the Chicago Sky after Sky guard Natasha Cloud approached him courtside late in the third quarter and the exchange escalated. Freedom, seated near the baseline, said Cloud directed a vulgar remark at him after he celebrated a Sophie Cunningham three-pointer. The next confirmable milestone is whatever the WNBA commissioner's office does with Freedom's declared intent to enter the 2027 draft.

Freedom said Cloud returned a couple of possessions after the Cunningham shot and told him, in his account, "She's not gonna sleep with you." He said he responded that he was there to support the player, not pursue her. The tape showed Cloud walking toward Freedom, yelling and pointing, with security and Sky players moving between them. Freedom stood, extended his arms, and stepped toward the court. He said Cloud then used repeated profanity within earshot of young fans.

The Fever won 113-90. Caitlin Clark finished with 37 points. Kelsey Mitchell added 30. The confrontation happened with 1:22 left in the third. Sky coach Tyler Marsh defended Cloud after the game, saying she protects "people who need to be protected." Cloud did not address reporters but posted on Threads: "To every trans kid/person, You are apart of MY community and tribe. You belong."

The numbers behind the setup

Freedom said his manager messaged Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca before the game and received an "enjoy the game" reply. Security still removed him without a stated reason.

The salary figure may carry more weight for the setup than Sunday's incident. Freedom said G League players he is currently speaking with told him they earn $45,000 a year, while under the WNBA's new salary structure, a player can make $1.4 million. He described that spread as almost $1.3 million and said it is what is pulling additional candidates toward the conversation. He said he is now in communication with two former NBA players, three European players, and three G League players who have expressed interest in pursuing similar draft plans.

What to watch

The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement states only women are eligible to play but does not publicly define the term or set eligibility requirements for transgender athletes. On August 12 the league said its anti-hate task force had discussed the issue and that there are "no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA." That statement and the candidate list Freedom is describing are moving in opposite directions.

Freedom, who played 11 years in the NBA and is 34, said he has received no communication from the league since his announcement and offered to meet directly with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Cloud met with team and league security after the game but did not speak with reporters. The eligibility question gets its next test at the 2027 draft.