Enes Kanter Feared for His Safety at Dreams Game: But Refused Suite Offered

Enes Kanter Freedom was denied entry to Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Atlanta after he turned down an arena suite that was offered to him after he complained about his personal safety, ESPN reported.

“Enes Kanter Freedom has contacted federal, state and local authorities, the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena Officials to express concerns about his personal safety during his planned attendance at Game 3 of the WNBA Finals tonight,” State Farm Arena said in a statement prior to tip-off between the Dream and the Golden State Valkyries. “The safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority.”

Freedom posted on this social media that area security was “banning” him and his crew from his purchased seats so he was offered a private suite.

The controversial player announced that he would attend Game 3 of the Finals due to Valkyries star Gabby Williams saying that she supports the trans community and stands behind transgender athletes playing in the league.

Freedom hasn’t attended a WNBA game since August when he was ejected from a game between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever after getting into a tense argument with Sky guard Natasha Cloud, who vocally supports the LGBTQ+ community.

While he didn’t outright announce it, Freedom sounded as if he wanted to take the same anti-trans agenda he had when attending the August WNBA game.

“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 said in a post, according to ESPN. “Her words gave 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 I am today.”

After he refused to sit in the suite – and refused to be provided a personal state police guard as well -- for his personal safety, he continued to complain on social media, ESPN reports.