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Enes Kanter Freedom vows to attend WNBA Finals after controversial gender identity remarks

Enes Kanter Freedom, a former NBA player who has publicly declared his intention to compete in the WNBA draft while identifying as a woman, announced plans to attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Atlanta as a spectator. His decision follows a social media post in which he credited Golden State Valkyries guard Gabby Williams for inspiring his transition and draft declaration, calling her support 'life-changing.' Freedom’s presence at the Finals marks a return to WNBA events after his ejection from a late-August game in Chicago, where he was banned from the arena following a confrontation with Indiana Sky guard Natasha Cloud.

The incident stemmed from altercations described by Sky owner Michael Alter as deliberate provocations, with Alter citing concerns over Freedom’s ability to control himself around players. The WNBA has not commented on his attendance plans, though league rules currently restrict participation to women assigned female at birth, leaving Freedom and fellow NBA alum Royce White ineligible despite their draft declarations.

The situation underscores ongoing debates within women’s sports about transgender inclusion policies.

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