Enes Kanter Defies Threats to Attend WNBA Finals Amid Eligibility Dispute
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom announced he will attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals despite receiving threats, following a ruling by the league denying his controversial draft eligibility bid.
Enes Kanter Freedom continues to stir controversy in American basketball. The former NBA player, who announced his intention to enter the 2027 WNBA draft as part of his protest against transgender women participating in women's sports, announced that he will attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals between Atlanta and Golden State, despite receiving death threats.
Threats and Social Media Response
"What's up, Atlanta? I heard y'all loud and clear. Let me remind y'all one thing: I fear God and God alone. See you tomorrow," Kanter wrote on X, alongside a video showing numerous threatening messages. The former player did not specify whether he filed a police complaint but made it clear he will not cancel his trip.
This development comes roughly two months after Kanter caused a commotion at a game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever, wearing a shirt reading: "Woman: Adult human female." Following a verbal altercation with Chicago player Natasha Cloud during the third quarter, he was escorted out of the arena. Chicago subsequently banned him from home games, prompting Kanter to file a federal lawsuit alleging free speech violations.
WNBA Commissioner's Stance
In a letter sent by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to Republican members of Congress on October 16, it was clarified that Kanter and former NBA player Royce White are ineligible to play in the league. "Only women are eligible to play in the WNBA, and the two individuals referred to in your letter are men," Engelbert wrote.
Ladies and gentlemen in America, the moment you've all been waiting for has arrived! The WNBA has officially responded! Is the WNBA transphobic? It turns out the WNBA still cannot define what a woman is, but is completely certain it knows what a man is!
Kanter fired back on X, sharing a photo of the letter and questioning the league's definitions and authority regarding gender identity while continuing his campaign against the league's inclusion policies.
