Published: 12:28 BST, 24 August 2026 | Updated: 14:40 BST, 24 August 2026
The former NBA star who is pursuing a spot in the WNBA has broken his silence on his furious courtside confrontation with Natasha Cloud during her team's game against Sophie Cunningham and the Indiana Fever.
Cloud had to be held back by security on Sunday night after confronting Enes Kanter Freedom, who has declared for the WNBA Draft in response to those in the league who believe transgender athletes should be allowed to play against women.Â
During the second half at the Wintrust Arena, Chicago Sky star Cloud stormed over to Freedom, who was controversially sitting courtside on the night, and sparked a furious argument.
In a viral clip of the incident, the pair could be seen shouting at each other before the former New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder player stood up and held his arms out, as if he were welcoming the mid-game confrontation from Cloud, who was quickly stopped in her tracks by security.
The Sky star was dragged away from the situation by security and teammates before returning to the game, while Freedom was seen being escorted out of the arena by staff.
Now, the 6-foot-10 Freedom has alleged that it was Cloud who initiated the confrontation and told him that Cunningham 'won't sleep with you.'
WNBA star Natasha Cloud had to be held back by security after going to confront Enes Kanter Freedom – who said he has declared for the WNBA Draft – during her game on Sunday night
Freedom alleged Cloud told him Sophie Cunningham 'won't sleep with you'
Cloud stormed over to Freedom, who was sitting courtside, and sparked a furious argument
He told OutKick:Â 'Sophie Cunningham shot a three, and I put my hands up to celebrate. Literally, a couple [of] possessions later, Natasha came back and started screaming and yelling and said, "She's not gonna sleep with you."
'And I was like, "I am not trying to sleep with her. I'm just here to protect women and support her." And then, obviously, after that, she started yapping, and she started to walk towards me, and literally I just got up, and then I was like, "I'm just here to protect women, and that's all."Â
'She started to yell. She started to use some very heavy language. She started to actually cuss, and I was very shocked that there were a lot of kids and that there were a lot of teenagers at that game.
'I just cannot believe that she was just cussing and using those F-bombs in front of all these kids. I’m sure she’s loved in Chicago and many kids are idolizing her and stuff, but that’s not how a WNBA athlete should react.'
Taking to X after he was removed by security, Freedom wrote: 'I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in, AMERICA!'
