Enes Kanter received criticism for getting ejected from a WNBA game by the hosts of the “Nightcap” podcast.
Former NFL Pro Bowlers Chad “OchoCinco” Johnson and Shannon Sharpe discussed Kanter’s latest antics with ex-NBA All-Star Joe Johnson.
“He was a solid role player for a minute… but to be pulling this stunt he be pulling, I don’t understand why. Is it because of the transgender rights? He’s thinking that, ‘Imma really test them to see what they going do,’” Johnson said.
“I think the thing was, Joe, is that he was a solid role player, but then he started having these beliefs and these talking points that the league’s like, ‘Bruh, you not that good.’ In order to be talking like you talking, you need to be a star,” Sharpe said.
At Wintrust Arena Sunday night, Kanter and Sky guard Natasha Cloud were involved in a heated exchange that led to the former NBA player getting escorted out by security.
Kanter, who also goes by Enes Kanter Freedom, revealed what he says sparked the intense conversation between him and Cloud, sharing his side of the story with Fox News.
“I’m a huge fan of basketball. I’m a huge fan of women’s basketball and I was there to watch the game and I was really excited because I’m a huge fan of the Fever. I was literally there to watch the game and then the first half went amazing,” Kanter told Fox News. “I was having so much fun with my friends and stuff. And then it was towards the end of the third quarter, Sophie Cunningham shot a three and I put my hands up to celebrate.
“Literally a couple of possessions later, Natasha [Cloud] came back and started screaming and yelling and said ‘She’s not going to sleep with you.’ And I was like ‘I’m not trying to sleep with her. I’m just here to protect women and support her.’ And then obviously after that she started yappin’ and she started to walk towards me and literally I just got up and I was like ‘I’m just here to protect women and that’s all.’”
Cloud also made a statement following Sunday’s game, where she vowed to protect the transgender community.
“To every trans kid/person, You are apart 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,” the Chicago guard wrote Sunday night.
Kanter inserted himself into the controversial transgender athlete conversation by declaring himself eligible for the 2027 WNBA draft, claiming that he is a woman.
