Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom called out Chicago Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca after he was ejected from Sunday’s Indiana Fever vs. Sky game.
Security escorted Kanter out of Wintrust Arena after he got out of his seat and stepped toward the court during a verbal altercation with Natasha Cloud.
Enes Kanter Sounds Off on Chicago Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca, Reveals Pre-Game Conversation
Speaking to Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, Kanter addressed claims that he attended Sunday’s game to stir up controversy.
“They are lying. Why? Because the GM of the Chicago Sky was my trainer, and I trained with him,” Kanter said.
“Before the game, we texted him and said, ‘Hey, we’re going to come to the game, we don’t want nothing controversial.’ … He even messaged us and said, ‘Just enjoy the game.’ So, they knew I was coming to the game and everything they’ve said is a lie.”
Kanter Freedom: So they’re lying. Because the GM of the Chicago Sky was actually my trainer. We actually texted him and said hey we are going to come to the game—we want peace, nothing controversial… pic.twitter.com/2Vw4auisbC
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 24, 2026
Kanter, who attended the game wearing a black shirt that read, “WOMAN noun. Adult human female,” claimed that his shirt contributed to his altercation with Cloud.
“I was obviously wearing a shirt explaining what a woman is, and I think that had a lot to do with what she thinks about women. I think it triggered her a lot.”
Kanter claims that security asked him to leave the arena without any explanation.
“I was like, ‘Can you please tell me why I need to leave?’ They said, ‘Look, you just need to leave,’” Kanter said. “They pretty much pushed me to leave the gym.”
During his postgame media session, Chicago coach Tyler Marsh was asked if he had any message for the former NBA center. He said:
“If you come to a game, you should probably come to enjoy the basketball,” Marsh said. “That seems pretty simple to me. I think these players deserve that and have earned that. Being a former basketball player, you should probably understand and feel that, too.”
Sky GM Pagliocca has yet to comment on the situation and Kanter’s claims about their conversation ahead of Sunday’s matchup.
It is likely that this won’t be the last time fans see Kanter in the WNBA. During his conversation with Laura Ingraham, the former Boston Celtics center revealed his plans to attend the Fever’s playoff games.
