A message on a former NBA player’s shirt triggered a tense exchange near the baseline, forcing security to separate him from a WNBA guard.
Former National Basketball Association center Enes Kanter Freedom was escorted out of the arena during Sunday’s Women’s National Basketball Association game between Indiana and Chicago.
As stated by CNN
The dispute arose late in the third quarter. Sky guard Natasha Cloud, after making a shot near the basket, began shouting and gesturing toward Kanter Freedom, who was standing near the baseline.
The former basketball player was wearing a black T-shirt that read: “Woman – noun. An adult human female.” With 1 minute and 22 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Indiana called a timeout, after which Cloud approached him to speak.
Security intervened in the dispute
Kanter Freedom spread his arms and stepped onto the court. Security personnel and several Sky players immediately positioned themselves between him and Cloud, preventing the confrontation from escalating.
After security intervened, Kanter Freedom was escorted out of the playing area. On his way to the Wintrust Arena lobby, he showed those present the message on his T-shirt and spoke with a group of police officers.
Statement about entering the women’s league draft
Earlier this month, Enes Kanter Freedom and another former National Basketball Association player, Royce White, said they planned to enter the Women’s National Basketball Association draft. They stated that they identify as women.