Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom experienced a confrontational reception from spectators outside Chicago's Wintrust Arena on Sunday. He was attending the sold-out Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky WNBA game when he found himself encircled by a group of fans. Security personnel worked to protect the 6-foot-10 athlete as individuals pressed in around him.
Freedom arrived wearing a shirt prominently displaying the definition of "woman," a clear statement on a topic he contends the WNBA has not adequately addressed. He documented the chaotic scene, sharing video footage on social media with the caption, "We are getting attacked before the @WNBA game in Chicago."
During the encounter, one individual approached Freedom and made an offensive gesture, while another attempted to disparage his extensive 11-year professional basketball career, yelling, "You were sorry in the league!" Despite such taunts, Freedom, who played over 700 games in the NBA, is accustomed to criticism. The situation carries a notable irony, particularly if the Chicago Sky were ever to consider drafting him in the future.
A History of Principled Stands
Facing public backlash for his convictions is not an unfamiliar experience for Freedom. His NBA career was significantly impacted after he publicly denounced human rights violations perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party and highlighted what he perceived as corporate hypocrisy within professional basketball. Currently, he utilizes his platform to champion female athletes, consistently drawing criticism for asserting that biological males should not compete in women's sports.
The WNBA Draft Declaration
In a recent move designed to highlight what he views as ambiguous gender-eligibility regulations within the WNBA, Freedom declared his eligibility for the 2027 WNBA Draft. He formally submitted his entry earlier this month, challenging the league to explicitly define who is qualified to participate in its women's league. While Article XIII of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) stipulates that only women are eligible to play, Freedom contends that the league has yet to articulate how this rule will be enforced.
Following Freedom's declaration, former NBA player Royce White also announced his intent to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft. Freedom has indicated that he has discussed similar declarations with other male basketball players.
In his initial interview after making the announcement, Freedom elaborated on his rationale to former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl. He stated that, according to the league's existing rules, if he were to step onto the court and identify as a woman, he would be permitted to play.
"By their rules," he said, if he steps on the court and identifies as a woman, he is allowed to play. "I'm not breaking any rules here. I know the rules really well."
Freedom then outlined a hypothetical "nightmare scenario" for the WNBA: envisioning himself, a formidable former NBA center, receiving lobs from star player Caitlin Clark, forming a "modern Kobe and Shaq" duo. He added that they could then engage in a celebratory chest bump because, as he put it, "I am now a woman."
The WNBA has reportedly convened meetings to address the criteria for defining a "woman" within its league. However, the organization has not yet issued a definitive public statement on the matter. Freedom continues to face criticism for his outspoken advocacy, both for challenging the Chinese Communist Party internationally and for defending female athletes domestically, often contrasting his stance with what he perceives as a pervasive silence from much of the broader sports community.
