Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White has urged the media to refrain from giving Enes Kanter Freedom the attention he seeks, following a heated verbal altercation with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud on Sunday night.
The incident occurred during the Indiana Fever's 113-90 win over the Chicago Sky, with tensions rising between Kanter and Cloud in the final minutes of the third quarter. White was asked about the altercation in her post-game press conference, but instead of condemning Kanter's actions, she chose to downplay the situation.
"I think it's important that people, like you guys in this room, don't give it any gas. Right? It's a social media thing," White said.
The controversy surrounding Kanter's presence at the game had been building all day, with the former NBA player wearing a black T-shirt with the message "WOMAN noun. adult human female" – a statement against trans women in women's sports – as he sat courtside. The shirt's message sparked heated debate on social media, with many calling for Kanter to be banned from women's sports.
Kanter was eventually escorted out of the arena after his verbal altercation with Cloud, but not before he had waved his arms to the crowd and held up his shirt to show its message. White's response to the incident has been met with mixed reaction, with some praising her for staying calm and focused on the game, while others have criticized her for not speaking out against Kanter's actions.
The Indiana Fever have had a tumultuous season so far, with several high-profile players and coaches facing criticism for their actions. White's decision to downplay the situation and focus on the game has been seen as a pragmatic approach, but some have questioned whether it sends the right message.
White's focus on the game has been vindicated, however, with the Fever's 113-90 win over the Chicago Sky marking their third victory in a row. Caitlin Clark led the charge for the Fever, scoring a prolific 32 points in the win.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing debate around trans women in women's sports, with Kanter's actions sparking heated discussion on social media. As the debate rages on, White's message to the media – to refrain from giving Kanter the attention he seeks – has been clear.
The situation is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon, with Kanter's presence at the game and his statements against trans women in women's sports set to remain a contentious issue. The Indiana Fever's next game is scheduled for this weekend, with the team set to face off against the New York Liberty.
Source: Yahoo Sports