Enes Kanter Freedom in action for the Boston Celtics
November 20, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter (11) controls the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The WNBA has certainly grown in stature over the past few years with the influx of more talented athletes such as Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Azzi Fudd, among many others. However, much of this talent is now threatened by the potential arrival of individuals such as Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, who have controversially declared for the WNBA Draft.
This particular topic has generated significant buzz lately. Following French trans athlete Julie Tétart’s statement about being open to an opportunity to play in the WNBA, several entities poured in with criticism, including notable NBA players like Kyle Kuzma. However, Enes Kanter Freedom took things a step further by declaring himself a WNBA prospect.
Needless to say, this has become a topic of debate within several basketball circles, with many suggesting that the former NBA big man is making a mockery of the subject. However, Enes Kanter Freedom seems quite committed to his decision, as he openly urged the Indiana Fever to draft him during a recent interview with Bruce Pearl. While discussing the prospect of being drafted, Freedom shared:
“I think I can do a pretty good job. I’m excited. It’s going to be fun, especially if I get drafted by a team, like, maybe Indiana. They can definitely use a big.”
For valid reasons, Pearl seemed quite stunned by this comment, as he reacted:
“But Caitlin’s not passing you the ball. That ball’s going up now.”
Caitlin Clark has already established herself as a household name in the WNBA. As a dynamic scorer and one of the best players in the league, Clark certainly has the green light on offense. In this regard, Pearl’s comments seem to hit the mark. However, Enes Kanter Freedom had other ideas.
“Listen, me and Caitlin will be the modern Kobe and Shaq. I’m telling you.”
The pairing of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal is widely regarded as one of the best duos in NBA history. With a dynamic scoring guard playing alongside a dominant center, the Lakers‘ tandem wreaked havoc on opposing teams.
While Freedom appears to have the right idea, Pearl criticized the fit, pointing to the other players on Indiana’s squad and how there may be no place for the former NBA player on the Fever roster. Although this seemingly raised some doubt in Freedom’s mind (jokingly, at least), he added:
“I’m just thinking about this scenario, right? We’re going down the lane, with Caitlin just throwing a lob. I catch the lob, and I’m just dunking the ball, then me and Caitlin bumping chests with each other, which I am allowed to do, because I am now a woman.”
The last segment of Freedom’s statement caught Bruce Pearl off guard. However, that appears to be the entire crux of the conversation.
Although the WNBA has paved the way with its progressive outlook and inclusivity, it has also been criticized for its shortcomings in defining certain boundaries. The loopholes in the context of gender identity have effectively allowed Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White to propagate their own ideologies, sparking further debate on the topic.
Hence, even though Enes Kanter Freedom’s remark about pairing up with Clark to form an elite duo on par with Shaq and Kobe seems controversial, it isn’t outrageous in the current scheme of things. Thus, for the most part, it simply calls on the WNBA to justify and present an appropriate course of action.