Enes Kanter Freedom talks about clash with Natasha Cloud and WNBA plans

Enes Kanter Freedom talks to OutKick about what happened with Natasha Cloud.

EXCLUSIVE: Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom said Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud made a rude comment toward him and kept swearing before security took him out of the Sunday night game against the Indiana Fever.

Freedom, who was sitting near the baseline at Wintrust Arena, said the clash started after he celebrated a 3‑pointer by Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.

"Sophie Cunningham shot a three, and I raised my hands to celebrate," Freedom said. "A few plays later, Natasha came back and started screaming, saying, ‘She’s not gonna sleep with you.’"

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Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud argues with former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom during the second half of a WNBA game against the Indiana Fever on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

"And I was like, ‘I am not trying to sleep with her. I’m just here to protect women and support her.’ Then she kept yelling, walked toward me, and I just said, ‘I’m just here to protect women, that’s all.’"

Video shows Cloud walking toward Freedom, shouting and pointing at him late in the third quarter. Freedom stood, spread his arms and stepped onto the court as security and Sky players moved between them.

Freedom said Cloud then started using bad words in front of young fans.

"She started to yell. She used very strong language. She actually cursed, and I was shocked because many kids and teenagers were at the game," Freedom said.

"I can’t believe she was cussing and using F‑bombs in front of all these kids. I know she’s loved in Chicago and many kids look up to her, but that’s not how a WNBA player should act."

The clash happened with 1:22 left in the third quarter, after Cloud scored inside and celebrated with teammate Aicha Coulibaly. Cloud then turned and walked to Freedom, who wore a black shirt that said, "WOMAN noun. adult human female."

He said he thinks the shirt helped cause Cloud’s reaction.

"I was cheering for my friend Sophie because when she hit that three, I raised my hands," Freedom said. "A few plays later, she came back and said, ‘She’s not gonna sleep with you.’ I was shocked. I told her, ‘I’m not trying to sleep with her. I think she’s great, a good friend.’ But I think my shirt mattered."

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Former basketball player Enes Kanter Freedom and Natasha Cloud #9 of the Chicago Sky yell at each other during the second half against the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 23, 2026. (Getty Images)

"I was wearing a shirt that explains what a woman is, and I think that made her think a lot about women. I think it triggered her."

OutKick asked Cloud’s representative for comment. She was not available at the team’s post‑game press conference.

Cloud posted a message to the trans community after the game on Threads.

"To every trans kid/person, You are part of MY community & tribe. You belong. You’re loved. You’re seen. You’re perfect as you are. & you will always be protected by me," Cloud wrote.

Sky coach Tyler Marsh defended Cloud after the game, telling reporters, "We all embrace her as someone who protects our team and protects people who need protection."

Freedom says the words exchanged with Cloud had nothing to do with trans issues or his WNBA plans.

"Definitely not," Freedom said about the interaction being related to those issues.

Even without mentioning the current trans debate in the WNBA, Freedom was ordered out of the arena.

He said security came to him and told him to leave without giving a reason.

"I asked, ‘Why do I have to leave?’ They said, ‘Just leave,’" Freedom said. "They basically pushed me out of the gym."

Footage shows arena staff touching Freedom and speaking harshly as he was escorted out. Freedom said he asked an employee not to touch him while being led away from the court.

"I told her, ‘First, please don’t touch me because I did nothing wrong. I can leave on my own,’" he said. "Second, I said, ‘You’re only kicking me out because I support women and try to protect them.’"

Freedom said security again refused to give a reason for his removal.

"They said, ‘We can’t give you a reason now. Just leave, please,’" he said. "I played 11 years in the NBA and know security’s job is hard, so I didn’t want to make it harder for them."

OutKick asked the Sky and Wintrust Arena for comment.

The Sky knew Freedom would come to the game, according to him. He said his manager told Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca before the game that he planned to attend.

"My manager texted the GM of the Chicago Sky," Freedom said. "We told him, ‘We’re coming to watch, not cause drama. We’ll watch the game and leave peacefully.’ He replied, ‘Enjoy the game.’ That’s all."

The Fever beat the Sky 113‑90. Clark scored 37 points, while Kelsey Mitchell added 30.

Earlier that night, Freedom went to a rally supporting Cunningham outside the arena. Cunningham has faced protests since she said she opposes trans girls and women competing in female sports.

Freedom announced earlier this month he plans to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft. He says he is using the league’s rules to push the WNBA to clarify its eligibility standards.

The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement says “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” but it does not define the term or set specific rules for trans athletes. No trans woman has played in the league yet.

After Freedom and former NBA player Royce White announced they would enter the draft, the WNBA said its anti‑hate task force had discussed trans athletes and online attacks on players.

"There are no immediate eligibility issues for the WNBA, and we strongly denounce bad‑faith attempts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others," the league said in its Aug. 12 statement.

Freedom rejected the label that his campaign is anti‑transgender or anti‑LGBTQ.

"I want to be clear because many media outlets are making me look anti‑trans or anti‑LGBTQ," he said. "That is wrong. I respect anyone’s personal decision and respect every group out there."

Freedom said the clash with Cloud made him more determined to try for a spot in the league, especially to play against her.

"If anything, I’m more pumped up," he said. "I can’t wait to face Natasha. It would be fun if I get drafted by any team. I don’t think Chicago will pick me, but any other team—I can’t wait to play her."

Freedom said he has not heard from the WNBA since announcing his plans. He offered to talk directly with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

"If the WNBA commissioner wants to sit down and talk with me, I’m open to that," Freedom said. "I respect everyone and would like to hear their perspective."

Sunday was Freedom’s first time attending a WNBA game in person, though he watched many games on TV during his NBA career.

"I’m a huge fan of basketball, especially women’s basketball, and I was there to watch the game," Freedom said. "I’ve watched on TV many times, but this was my first live WNBA game."

He added he had never spoken with Cloud before the clash. Despite the exchange, he praised the veteran guard’s skill and influence on the court.

Former player Enes Kanter Freedom and Natasha Cloud #9 of the Chicago Sky yell at each other during the second half of the Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever game at Wintrust Arena on Aug. 23, 2026. (Getty Images)

"I think she’s an excellent player," Freedom said. "I don’t know much about her off the court, but on the court she improves herself and lifts everyone around her. That makes her a very special player."

After leaving the arena, Freedom said he met a young girl and her mother while getting ready for dinner. He said that moment was the most emotional part of his night.

"A little girl came with her mother, and the mother said, ‘Thank you for what you’re doing for my daughter,’" Freedom said. "That was the most emotional part of the whole night."

Freedom said the meeting reinforced his view that the dispute should not be seen as a partisan issue.

"This is not a right or left issue," he said. "People need to see this isn’t political. It’s common sense. People try to paint me as political, but they’re wrong."

Golden State Valkyries player Gabby Williams inspired Freedom to pursue the WNBA after a clip of her saying she would welcome a trans player went viral earlier this month. Freedom confirmed the clip motivated his draft declaration.

"If they don’t set a rule, I’m ready to play in May and prepare for the April draft," Freedom said. "These are the rules. People are mad at me. I’m confused why they’re angry. I’m just following the rules they wrote."

And the 6‑foot‑10 former center plans to play many seasons if the league lets him.

"I’m 34 now, and I can still dunk everything," Freedom said. "I watched the game tonight and feel I can dunk every time I touch the ball. I could play until I’m 40 or 45. I don’t see a limit as long as I want."

Turkish‑American former basketball player and human‑rights activist Enes Kanter Freedom is seen before a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Aug. 23, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

When asked if he would feel guilty playing against women or entering a WNBA locker room, Freedom said he would not.

"Why would I?" he said. "These are the rules they set, and I’m just following them. All the players, coaches and the league have spoken up, saying they’ll welcome a trans athlete. I see the T‑shirts they wear, so I wouldn’t feel guilty."

Freedom said the Fever is his preferred team and he would like to play with Clark.

"I think we need to bring back a modern‑day Kobe and Shaq, so I’m going with the Indiana Fever for sure," he said. "Me and Caitlin will be the modern‑day Kobe and Shaq."

White announced his own intention to enter the WNBA draft shortly after Freedom. Freedom said the two former NBA players have never spoken and are not coordinating their efforts.

"He does his own thing. I’m doing my own thing," Freedom said. "What Royce does affects him, what I do affects me. We are separate and not linked to anyone."

However, Freedom said other former pros have privately shown interest in following him. He said he is talking with two former NBA players, three European players and three NBA G‑League players.

"You’ll be shocked, but besides one other player who has spoken out, I’m talking to many others," Freedom said. "Two former NBA players, three Europeans and three G‑League players are talking with me about this."

Enes Kanter Freedom is thrown out during a regular‑season WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky on Aug. 23, 2026, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Freedom said the G‑League players noted the big money difference created by the WNBA’s new salary plan.

"The G‑League players said, ‘We make $45,000 a year. If we identify as women, we could make $1.4 million,’" Freedom said. "That’s almost $1.3 million more. The WNBA has no idea what’s coming."

But support hasn’t been constant; Freedom said he has received death threats and abusive messages since announcing his draft plans.

"I get many death threats and curses every day," he said. "I want people to know I’m not doing this for politics. This isn’t a right or left issue. I’m only here to defend women."

Freedom said he has not spoken with Cunningham or any current WNBA player or coach about his campaign. He said no league official has contacted him, but he is willing to talk directly with leadership.

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"I’m here to sit down and listen," Freedom said. "If the commissioner or anyone wants to talk with me about this, I would love to hear their side."

Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson's reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.

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