Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom has stated that he is in contact with the FBI after receiving threats related to his plans to attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Atlanta. He mentioned receiving messages indicating he would be “the next Charlie Kirk.”
Despite these threats, Freedom told OutKick he intends to attend Wednesday’s game between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries. He also mentioned making arrangements for security after previously being ejected from a WNBA game in August.
“We are in touch with the FBI. We have our own security,” Freedom noted, adding that Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s office is also providing security for him.
A representative from Kemp’s office confirmed that they connected his team with the necessary law enforcement resources.
After announcing he would attend the game, Freedom claimed to have received “thousands of death threats.” However, the specifics of these threats and the extent of security arrangements have not been independently verified.
When asked about the most severe threat he received, Freedom referenced a disturbing message foretelling that he would face a similar fate as Kirk.
“Look, I’m just simply saying that I’m going to be attending the game,” he explained. “My DMs are full of pictures and videos of the moment that Charlie Kirk got shot, and they’re saying that you’re going to be next very soon. It’s a shame.” He also posted a video compilation on social media outlining various threats he received ahead of his trip to Atlanta.
Game 3 is set for 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday at State Farm Arena. The series is currently tied 1-1 after Atlanta’s recent victory.
Freedom’s upcoming appearance at the game comes amid his ongoing dispute with the WNBA regarding eligibility, as he and fellow former player Royce White have announced plans to enter the 2027 draft while identifying as women. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, in a letter to Republican lawmakers, stated that neither player meets the eligibility criteria, emphasizing that “only women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”
Freedom expressed his desire for the league to implement clear eligibility restrictions based on biological sex, citing Valkyries player Gabby Williams’ support for transgender participation as pivotal in his efforts to join.
Regarding his plans for the game, Freedom said, “I’m going there to enjoy the game. I’m going there to support all these hardworking women, especially Gabby Williams and Angel Reese.”
His last encounter at a WNBA game ended turmoil, resulting in his removal from a Chicago Sky contest after a dispute with guard Natasha Cloud. Following this incident, the Sky banned him from their games. Freedom later filed a lawsuit claiming his First Amendment rights were violated, which Sky owner Michael Alter disputed, stating that it was his conduct—not his speech—that led to the removal.
In the interview, Freedom maintained he had not done anything wrong during the Chicago incident and said he would not escalate any potential confrontations in Atlanta. “I’m going there to watch the game and I’m going there to support them, actually. So if a player gets in my face, I’m not planning to do anything,” he reassured.
Interestingly, he mentioned that Angel Reese had blocked him on social media, despite him never having interacted with her before. “I never had a conversation. I never even seen her in my life before,” he asserted. Regardless, he predicted that Atlanta would win the game, saying, “I think they’re playing really good basketball.”
While he teased a shirt he plans to wear to the game, he refrained from disclosing its wording, although it previously had a definition of “woman” as “adult human female.” Freedom emphasized that his presence at the game should be seen as support for women’s sports. “We are not here to mock or make fun of anyone or any personal decision,” he stated.
He added, “Many people think that I’m going there to troll. No, I’m going there to support women, protect women, and make sure that I enjoy the game.”
