Former NBA star Enes Kanter has consistently stayed in the headlines due to his anti-trans WNBA stance. The issue escalated when Kanter had an altercation with Natasha Cloud during a recent Indiana Fever matchup against the Chicago Sky. Since then, the WNBA has reportedly even ruled out Kanter and Royce White from the upcoming draft, although the former Celtics man maintains they are yet to receive an official confirmation.
Reaction to Kanter’s antics was split almost down the middle, with some backing him up, while others condemned the former player. While the WNBA continues to enjoy one of its most successful seasons in terms of ratings, one of the most vocal media commentators checked has now in, offering his take on the situation.
Stephen A. Smith Shades Enes Kanter for His Chicago Antics
Smith, in all honesty, has never disliked any camera or microphone in front of him. However, in watching Kanter, the ESPN mainstay drew a deep line, taking the former pro to task, but not before chastising the wording of the collective bargaining agreement.
“Although, it’s clearly to bring attention to the unfairness of not specifically defining what a woman is, in the collective bargaining agreement, and as a result, somebody who is transgender, and can wake up and say ‘I’m a female’… Clearly, that is a political position to take”
First, in the history of the WNBA, there has only been one transgender player, Layshia Clarendon, whom Smith did not mention in his response. Then, he centered on Kanter.
“I think on one hand, Enes Kanter was very wrong. It was a classless thing for him to do. The ladies that are playing don’t have anything to do with this… They don’t deserve to be agitated.”
Smith, in one fell swoop, criticized the league’s nebulous wording and Kanter’s behavior while supporting WNBA players, who don’t make policy. Still, he also suggested that the 34-year-old was within his rights to do what he was doing. The issue could obviously have been solved had the WNBA chosen to respond quickly and actually cleared their stance on whether transgender women are allowed to play in the league.
However, with no official statement forthcoming, Kanter has in recent days continued to put pressure on the league to address his claims, even offering a potential ‘peace summit’ solution recently. It remains to be seen how the WNBA decides to proceed from here, with Smith obviously encouraging the league to make an official ruling on the matter.
