Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom encountered a hostile crowd outside Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Sunday while attending a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky. Freedom, who has been vocal about his views on gender eligibility in women's sports, was documented being swarmed by fans as he arrived at the sold-out venue.
Freedom documented the scene on social media, posting a video with the caption, "We are getting attacked before the @WNBA game in Chicago." The footage showed spectators surrounding the former player, with some individuals expressing their disapproval verbally and with gestures. One fan reportedly flipped Freedom the bird, while another shouted insults about his professional basketball career.
Freedom arrived wearing a shirt displaying the definition of the word "woman." This attire reflects his stated purpose for attending the game and his recent declaration to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft. He has stated his intention to challenge the WNBA's gender-eligibility rules, asserting that the league has not provided a clear public definition of who qualifies to play in its women's league.
Freedom formally entered the draft earlier in August, a move he explained as a way to prompt the WNBA to clarify its policies. He has cited Article XIII of the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement, which he claims states only women are eligible to play, and questions how the league intends to enforce this rule.
This is not the first time Freedom has drawn attention for his public statements. He previously faced professional repercussions after criticizing human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party and corporate practices within professional basketball. He has since positioned himself as an advocate for female athletes, focusing on the issue of biological males participating in women's sports.
Freedom has indicated that other male basketball players may also declare for the WNBA draft. Former NBA player Royce White has also announced his intention to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft following Freedom's announcement. Freedom has suggested that under current WNBA rules, an individual could potentially play in the league by identifying as a woman, a scenario he has used to highlight his concerns about the league's eligibility standards.