From supporting Sophie Cunningham to identifying himself as a woman and declaring for the WNBA Draft, Enes Kanter has spent the past few weeks turning the league’s transgender-athlete debate into a much bigger spectacle.
Kanter went a step further on Sunday with his presence at the Fever-Sky game. The ill-fated appearance ended with a confrontation with Natasha Cloud and the former NBA center’s ejection from the arena.
NFL Legend Calls Out Enes Kanter Over Stance in Trans-Athlete Debate
Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, former NFL star Chad Johnson, and seven-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson were quick to respond with a very clear message for Kanter’s participation in the WNBA controversy on their “Nightcap” show.
Johnson started with his frustration over Kanter, saying. “What other reason would he be going to the games? He probably ain’t never been to no WNBA game. Didn’t he go there just to be the agitator? Just to cause ruckus? Just to make the headlines?”
Johnson then asked what Kanter had actually been doing, prompting Sharpe to bring up his controversial WNBA ambitions. “Remember, he talked about he’s eligible for the WNBA draft. So he’s going to go play in the WNBA,” Sharpe explained.
Kanter played in the NBA for 11 seasons, averaging 11.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. He played for the Utah Jazz, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the New York Knicks, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Boston Celtics.
However, Sharpe did not hold back when assessing Kanter’s NBA career. “If you were good, you’d still be in the NBA,” Sharpe later added, “His own home country don’t want him back.”
That line carries additional context. Kanter’s Turkish passport was canceled in May 2017 due to his outspoken criticism of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The NBA and the U.S. Department of State later helped secure his release, and he became an American citizen in 2021.
Sharpe then doubled down on his basketball assessment with sarcasm. “He was a good role player,” he said. “Then he started having these beliefs and these talking points that the league’s like, bro, you’re not that good,” Sharpe added. “And then if you’re a superstar, we’re going to look the other way. But you’re not even that. You’re absolutely right.”
With the debate still unfolding, Kanter’s involvement continues to draw strong reactions from across the sports world. He has already declared for the WNBA Draft and is drawing polarizing reactions from the basketball community with his latest stunt. Now, all eyes are on what he does next.
