Former NBA player Matt Ryan defends Enes Kanter Freedom after WNBA ejection

Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Ryan said he stands behind former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom after Freedom was escorted out of a WNBA game at Wintrust Arena on Sunday. The ejection occurred late in the third quarter of the Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky matchup following a heated exchange between Freedom and Sky guard Natasha Cloud. Freedom, who was seated near the bench, was supporting Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, an advocate for policies restricting transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Freedom told Fox News Digital that the confrontation began after Cunningham made a three-point shot. He raised his hands in celebration, after which Cloud approached and used profanity, according to Freedom’s account. Freedom said he responded that he was “just here to protect women and support her.”

After the incident, Fever star Caitlin Clark said she did not see the exchange, and the team’s head coach described it as a “social media thing.” Sky forward Azura Stevens referred to it as a routine fan incident.

Ryan posted comments on social media, stating that the league should clarify its position on the definition of a woman and protect the integrity of women’s sports. He added that Freedom has no intention of playing in the WNBA and is challenging the league to address the issue.

"The WNBA has no idea what they're about to face. They're still trying to figure out what a woman is," Freedom said.

The incident has drawn attention to ongoing debates within the WNBA regarding transgender participation policies.