Enes Kanter removed from WNBA arena over transphobia

Enes Kanter was removed from Wintrust Arena after anti-transgender provocations during the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever. The former NBA centre’s expulsion has brought renewed attention to the dispute over transgender athletes in women’s basketball.

Kanter attended the game wearing a shirt that defined a woman exclusively by biological sex. Sky player Natasha Cloud confronted him, and the exchange intensified before he was directed out of the arena. Cloud later posted a message supporting transgender children and people, saying they belonged in her community and deserved acceptance and protection.

Kanter criticised the ejection on social media, presenting it as punishment for defending women. The former Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks player has previously made similar arguments, including claiming he could enter the WNBA draft as a woman if self-identification were the only requirement. He is a naturalised American, has campaigned against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and is listed among people wanted as terrorists by Turkey.

He has also backed Indiana player Sophie Cunningham, who said in an ESPN interview that transgender athletes should not compete in women’s sport. Cunningham’s position differs from the WNBA’s current stance, as the league has not prohibited transgender athletes. The issue has also featured in US political debate, with Donald Trump having issued an executive order last year barring transgender athletes from women’s sport.