Enes Kanter Freedom plans to attend WNBA Finals Game 3 in Atlanta

Enes Kanter Freedom intends to attend WNBA Finals Game 3 in Atlanta.

Key points

• The Human Rights Campaign documented in 2023 that 19% of transgender youth nationwide were playing sports, including fewer than 1, 300 who played sports in school.
• This person supported the Dream even the WNBA Finals best-of-seven series 1-1 on Monday with a double-double.
• The Atlanta Dream and WNBA both declined comment on Kanter Freedom's planned attendance.
• Kanter Freedom attended a Chicago Sky game on Sunday, Aug.

Enes Kanter Freedom intends to attend WNBA Finals Game 3 in Atlanta. Heather Burns, Meghan L. Hall USA TODAY. Transgender athlete debate draws dueling protests outside Fever-Liberty game.

USA TODAY Sports' Meghan L. Hall was on site ahead of Fever vs. Liberty in Brooklyn, NY to speak with protesters on opposing sides of the debate over transgender athletes in sports. Sports Seriously, Studio IX.

Enes Kanter Freedom intends to attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries at State Farm in Atlanta, he stated on social media on Monday, Oct. 19. He then doubled down on his intentions on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Notably, the Atlanta Dream and WNBA both declined comment on Kanter Freedom's planned attendance.

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams. This person has led her team in scoring in the postseason, expressed backing for transgender athletes in women's sports this season, saying she would "welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team, anytime. I don't think it's a difficulty in the world. It's just another way to kind of attack trans individuals."

Kanter Freedom, a former 11-season NBA vet, has been outspoken regarding the trans athlete debate surrounding the WNBA, declaring himself eligible for the 2027 league draft on social media on Aug. 7, saying he identifies as a woman."As you all know, this all started with an interview featuring Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries, when she said, I have no problem with trans athletes playing on my team or against my team, " Freedom remarked in a video confirming he would be in Atlanta for the Finals. "Her words offered me so much hope and motivation to come out as a woman and officially declare for the WNBA draft. I can't wait to watch my favorite player, the woman who inspired me to become who I am today!"

Kanter Freedom mentioned Angel Reese. This person supported the Dream even the WNBA Finals best-of-seven series 1-1 on Monday with a double-double.

My favorite diva has unfortunately blocked me on social media, Kanter Freedom remarked. But that won't stop me from showing my appreciation for the one and only @Reese10Angel! I can't wait to take some notes on how to finish a layup after grabbing a rebound.

"I'm excited to support all the hardworking women in the WNBA and scout the competition before I dominate the league next year, unless they change the rules!"

Kanter Freedom and former NBA player Royce White. This person additionally declared earlier this year that he identified as a woman, are not eligible to enter the WNBA draft, a person with direct knowledge of the situation informed USA TODAY Sports on Monday, Aug. 24. The person spoke on condition of anonymity since they were not authorized to speak publicly. The person remarked the league is not going to "give oxygen to efforts designed to mock the league or use this topic to demean or marginalize others."

Kanter Freedom attended a Chicago Sky game on Sunday, Aug. 23, in a T-shirt that remarked: "WOMAN noun. Adult human female." After getting into a shouting match with Sky guard Natasha Cloud, he was ejected and banned from the Sky's Wintrust Arena. He has subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Sky saying his First Amendment rights were violated when he was "wrongfully ejected" from the Aug. 23 game in Chicago.

In practice, the debate around eligibility began this season when Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham remarked young girls playing sports "shouldn't have to go against biological men."

For context, a transgender woman has never played in the WNBA, but the league has become a lightning rod for the topic after comments created by Cunningham were published in an ESPN story on July 21.

Cunningham's comments on transgender athlete participation and the ensuing conversation came after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld states' right to ban transgender girls and women from participation in women's sports.Legislation passed in 27 states barring transgender girls and women from participating in women's sports is aimed at a small portion of the population – 1% of individuals aged 13 and over in the U.S. Identify as transgender, according to a 2025 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA Law.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Campaign documented in 2023 that 19% of transgender youth nationwide were playing sports, including fewer than 1, 300 who played sports in school. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

In short, enes Kanter Freedom plans to attend WNBA Finals Game 3 in Atlanta is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.