Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink has strongly denounced former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, labeling his recent commentary on transgender athletes as a "stupid piece of s---." Brink stated her belief that the issue of transgender athletes is being misrepresented and used for public attention.
"For me personally, when it comes to the trans issues I believe you’re talking about, I think it’s a non-issue and it’s people trying to just come for the trans community, and I just don’t stand for that," Brink told WNBA reporter Jarrod Castillo of The Mirror US. "I don’t know what the f— his name is, Enes Kanter, like he’s a stupid piece of s—t."
Brink suggested that Freedom's actions are an attempt to remain relevant. "I think people are tuned in [to the WNBA] for the right reasons," Brink said. "It’s great that we can all talk about things that are important and hard, and you can have your opinions on that, but I think taking something that’s like a non-issue right now and trying to use it for clickbait, for views, for likes, and then targeting a vulnerable community is just really low."
Throughout her WNBA career, Brink has been an advocate for her teammates and has spoken about the importance of acceptance, including supporting teammates who use they/them pronouns. She has also publicly addressed issues of racial equity in sports.
Freedom's recent controversy within the WNBA included an incident at a game between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, where he was escorted out after a verbal exchange with player Natasha Cloud. Freedom claimed the exchange occurred after he was commenting on a shot by Sophie Cunningham and that Cloud approached him, stating, "She’s not going to sleep with you." Freedom maintained he was there to "protect women and support her."
In early August, Freedom announced his intention to enter the WNBA draft, declaring as a transgender player despite no transgender athletes currently playing in the league. He officially declared for the draft on August 10.