WNBA Star Refuses to Name Freedom After Courtside Ban

Clear Facts

• Chicago Sky’s Natasha Cloud declined to name Enes Kanter Freedom when discussing their Aug. 23 courtside confrontation that led to his ejection and ban from Sky home games
• Freedom attended the game wearing a shirt defining a woman as “adult human female” and was banned after a heated exchange with Cloud during the Fever-Sky matchup
• Sky ownership banned Freedom from future home games unless he demonstrates compliance with arena rules and poses no security threat

Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud refused to acknowledge Enes Kanter Freedom by name Saturday, calling him an “irrelevant person” in her first public remarks since their courtside confrontation resulted in his ejection and subsequent ban from team home games.

“I won’t be talking about anything that happened with an irrelevant person,” Cloud told reporters following Saturday’s game. “What I will focus on is what actually affects women and children.”

The incident occurred late in the third quarter of the Sky’s loss to the Indiana Fever on Aug. 23. Freedom sat courtside wearing a shirt that defined a woman as an “adult human female.”

He had recently announced plans to seek eligibility for the 2027 WNBA Draft as part of his ongoing protest against the league’s current eligibility standards.

According to Freedom’s account, he initially raised his hands to celebrate a shot by Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. He alleged that Cloud then turned toward him and made a personal comment.

The two exchanged words before Cloud approached him, yelled and pointed in his direction. Video footage shows Freedom standing, extending his arms and stepping toward the playing surface before security personnel intervened.

The Sky organization stated that arena security, NBA Security and Chicago police deemed him a potential threat to player safety. Freedom has consistently maintained that he never intended to enter the court and had already taken his final step when security responded.

Sky principal owner Michael Alter announced two days after the incident that Freedom was banned from future team games at Wintrust Arena unless he could demonstrate compliance with organizational rules and show he would not present a security threat.

Cloud praised the organization’s response to the incident.

“We’re asking for protection, and that’s what protection looks like from a man,” Cloud said. “We can’t not allow him in the arena before the game, but after the game we can bring solutions to the table that best benefit putting our players first and protecting our players.”

The WNBA Fan Code of Conduct permits teams to eject spectators, revoke tickets and prevent individuals from attending future games. It also states that guests who attempt to enter the court can be immediately removed.

When asked why the WNBA continues to experience heightened controversies this season, Cloud answered with one word: “Men.”

“The men now that are like, ‘Oh, we need to protect the WNBA,’ y’all were the same ones saying we shouldn’t be paid,” Cloud continued. “Y’all were the same ones saying we shouldn’t have been invested in, saying we’re a joke, the same ones that don’t respect Black women.”

Alter has not identified a formal reinstatement process for Freedom. He stated that Freedom must prove he understands his conduct was unacceptable and will not repeat it, but declined to provide specific requirements for having the ban lifted.

Freedom, a former NBA center known for his outspoken criticism of authoritarian regimes and advocacy for human rights, has been a vocal participant in cultural debates surrounding women’s sports. Cloud scored 14 points Saturday as the Sky lost to the New York Liberty, 85-66.

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