Enes Kanter Freedom said he texted ‘my friend’ Sophie Cunningham after his ejection

Aug 16, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) reacts against the Atlanta Dream during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images

Last month, former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom began making a mockery of the WNBA’s gender policy by declaring himself eligible for the WNBA Draft. As he continues to push himself to the center of the conversation, he has now described Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham as a friend.

Cunningham, who ignited the debate surrounding transgender athletes last month when she spoke out against trans women in women’s sports, has not addressed Kanter Freedom’s decision to declare himself eligible for the WNBA Draft or shared any connection to Kanter Freedom. However, after he was ejected from a recent Indiana Fever game, Kanter Freedom described Cunningham as “my friend.”

Kanter Freedom Ejected

During Sunday’s game between the Fever and the Sky, Kanter Freedom sat courtside wearing a black T-shirt that read: “WOMAN noun. adult human female,” a statement against trans women in women’s sports.

In the final minutes of the third quarter, tensions rose between Kanter Freedom and Cloud, resulting in a verbal altercation.

At one point, the Sky guard began walking toward Kanter and shouting at him. Kanter Freedom, meanwhile, was standing with his arms outstretched and stepped toward the court before security escorted him out.

Kanter Freedom then pumped his fist and mocked Cloud by making a talking gesture with his hand. Eventually, he waved his arms to the crowd before holding out his shirt to show its message while leaving.

Since then, Kanter Freedom has been speaking out against his removal from the arena.

‘My Friend Sophie Cunningham’

During a recent appearance on Fox News, Kanter Freedom addressed his recent ejection, offering his version of the events. During his explanation, he described Cunningham as a “friend” who he was there to support.

Kanter Freedom said that in the second half, he put his hands in the air to celebrate a made basket by Sophie Cunningham. Kanter Freedom said that Cloud saw his celebration and came back to him the next possession and yelled: “She’s not going to sleep with you.”

Kanter Freedom said that on the next possession he responded to Cloud by saying he was at the game to support his “friend” Sophie Cunningham.

“I told her, ‘I’m not trying to sleep with her. I’m here to protect women and support my friend Sophie Cunningham,’” Kanter Freedom said.

Kanter Freedom said that the next possession is when Cloud began “yelling and cursing” at him. Following that, he was thrown out by security.

“I’m here to protect women, I’m here to support my friend. That’s all,” Kanter Freedom said.

Kanter Freedom Texted Cunningham

When Fox News host Laura Ingraham asked Kanter Freedom about describing Cunningham as a “friend,” he said that he texted her after he was removed from the arena.

“I texted her after the game. I was like, ‘Listen, please focus on your game because you are a national treasure,'” Kanter Freedom said.

“She is an American hero and she should be protected at all costs,” Kanter Freedom said. “She’s not only inspiring the young girls in America, but all over the world. She’s an idol; she’s a hero.”

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