Enes Kanter Freedom pushed back after he and Royce White were reportedly deemed ineligible for the WNBA Draft, denied reports of a potential arena ban and said he plans to attend every Indiana Fever playoff game.
Credit IMAGO/Sports Press Photo - Scanpix
Enes Kanter Freedom has pushed back against reports that he and fellow former NBA player Royce White are not eligible for the WNBA Draft, insisting that he remains ready to play under his interpretation of the league's rules.
A person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press on Monday that Freedom and White are not eligible for the WNBA Draft after both former NBA players publicly declared themselves eligible earlier this month.
Appearing on FOX News, Freedom disputed that position and cited what he described as Article 13, Section 1 of the league's rules.
"Well, listen. Article 13, Section 1 says if you identify as a woman, then you're allowed to play," Freedom said.
When the interviewer asked whether he was identifying as a woman, Freedom replied:
"I identify as a woman, sure. Yeah. So I can play.
"I mean, that's the rule. That's the rule that they put up, and I'm just following the rules. If they ever come out and say, 'Okay, we're changing the rule,' I respect their decision, and I will follow their rules. But right now, if you identify as a woman, you're allowed to play, and I am identifying as a woman, and I am actually allowed to play. That's it.
"I'm ready to play, and I'm prepared to play."
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
Freedom addresses potential WNBA arena ban
Freedom was also asked about reports suggesting he could be banned from attending future WNBA games following his removal from Sunday's Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky matchup at Wintrust Arena.
He said he had received no indication that such a ban exists and dismissed reports to the contrary.
"I have not heard it. I mean, if there is any news out there, please don't listen to those sources because it's all fake news," Freedom said.
"I did not break any kind of rules, did not step over the baseline, I literally stood up, got out of and just opened my arms. So they should not be banning me from any games."
Freedom then made it clear that he intends to continue attending Fever games, including during the postseason.
"And you know what? I am so excited for the playoffs. I cannot wait to go to every playoff game that Indiana Fever is going to play. So it's going to be fun. I'm a fan of the game."
When asked whether he already had tickets, Freedom revealed that he was taking precautions.
"I don't get those tickets under my name because I don't know if they're gonna cancel at the last minute or not. So I'm getting those tickets under my manager's name."
Freedom removed after confrontation with Natasha Cloud
The discussion came after Freedom was escorted from Sunday's Fever-Sky game following a courtside confrontation with Chicago guard Natasha Cloud.
Freedom was sitting along the baseline wearing a shirt that read, "WOMAN noun. adult human female."
He later told FOX News that the exchange began after he celebrated a Sophie Cunningham three-pointer late in the third quarter.
According to Freedom's account, Cloud approached him several possessions later and allegedly told him, "She's not gonna sleep with you."
Freedom said he responded that he was not trying to sleep with Cunningham and was instead there to "protect woman and support her."
The exchange escalated, with Cloud approaching Freedom as he stood up near the baseline. Security personnel and several Sky players intervened before Freedom was escorted away from the court.
Freedom has maintained that he did not understand why he was removed and later argued with security in the concourse area.
"I'm supporting women, and that is the reason they are kicking me out. This is unacceptable," he said at the time.
Cloud did not speak to reporters following the game but met with team and league security.
Sky head coach Tyler Marsh later backed his player, praising Cloud for protecting her teammates and saying the organization "stands for Tash."
WNBA declaration continues to draw attention
Freedom and White generated significant attention earlier this month by publicly declaring themselves eligible for the WNBA Draft while saying they identify as women.
Freedom's Sunday appearance was his first WNBA game since making that declaration.
The former NBA center spent more than a decade in the league with the Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics, among other teams.
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