WNBA Icon Says ‘Weak’ Enes Kanter Should Be Banned From League For ‘Messing With Women’

WNBA legend Angel McCoughtry is weighing in on the controversy surrounding former NBA player Enes Kanter. In a new interview, the 13-year-old WNBA veteran didn’t hold back when sharing her thoughts on Kanter’s recent antics. In addition to describing him as “weak,” McCoughtry also insisted that the 34-year-old be banned from all 15 WNBA arenas.

While speaking with TMZ Sports, McCoughtry broke her silence on many of the conversations currently surrounding the league. During the interview, McCoughtry made her feelings on Kanter known, saying, “There’s a reason Enes is banned from his country, Turkey. Something’s going on with that.”

Her comments come days after Kanter was removed from a Chicago Sky game after getting into an explosive altercation with veteran player Natasha Cloud. According to The Blast, Kanter was seen approaching the baseline, shouting back and forth with Cloud before arena security escorted him out of the building.

Weeks before the game, Kanter made headlines after claiming he was a transgender woman and later vowing to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft. McCoughtry is unamused by Kanter’s actions, though, urging him to “leave women alone.” She continued, “Who messes with women? If you mess with women, you’re a weak man.”

McCoughtry Says ‘Real NBA Players’ Wouldn’t Come To WNBA Games To Antagonize Women

Natasha Cloud scores, exchanges words with Enes Kanter, and he’s escorted from the game 👀pic.twitter.com/sHbIRLlrae

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 24, 2026

Kanter’s fascination with the WNBA began after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham faced backlash after voicing her opposition to trans women competing against biological women. In his declaration video, Kanter claimed that he was eligible to play since the WNBA allegedly didn’t make its rules on who could compete clear.

Kanter is one of the few NBA players expressing interest in playing in the WNBA, something McCoughtry suggested Kanter consider. “Real NBA players, they don’t have time for that,” she said. “They come and support our game and we figure out ways we can create and grow.”

Continuing, McCoughtry said the conversation about transgender women playing in the WNBA is moot. “There’s not an active trans player in the WNBA. Why y’all keep coming at us? … It has nothing to do with us right now. If it happened, then have the conversation. It’s not happening,” she said.

McCoughtry Says Enes Kanter Should Be Banned From WNBA Arenas

After careful consideration and reviewing the current eligibility guidelines,
I’m officially declaring myself a @WNBA prospect.

If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA.

My team and I have… pic.twitter.com/msncUZUT1J

— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) August 7, 2026

Following Kanter’s removal from Wintrust Arena in Chicago, WNBA fans called for the former NBA player to be banned from all 15 arenas. McCoughtry agreed, telling TMZ that the league should ban the Boston Celtics alum and “prove a point” to others. “That we don’t have time for that and we’re not tolerating that kind of behavior. Leave us alone,” she said.

While the league hasn’t taken action against Kanter, the Chicago Sky banned Kanter from Wintrust Arena, according to ESPN. “[Kanter Freedom] has demonstrated to us unequivocally that he has the potential to be a threat,” Sky owner Michael Alter said. “That he is not able to control himself to the extent where we can be comfortable that he may [not] step towards the court again and towards the players.”

Los Angeles Sparks Center Speaks Out Against Kanter

McCoughtry isn’t the only WNBA-affiliated person to speak out against Kanter. According to The Blast, Los Angeles Sparks center Cameron Brink shared a similar statement just days ago, calling Kanter “stupid.”

Like McCoughtry, Brink said the debate is a “non-issue” and slammed those attempting to use the conversation to stay relevant.

“But I think taking something that’s a non-issue right now and trying to use it for clickbait, for views, for likes, and then targeting a vulnerable community is just really low,” she said.

Kanter Will Not Play In The WNBA

Based on another report from The Blast, Kanter “will not be eligible to play in the women’s league,” sources shared earlier this week.

Weeks before, the league slammed the “bad faith” actors attempting to stir up trouble amongst its players and fans. Continuing, a WNBA spokesperson said there are “no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA” and that the league “strongly denounces the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others.”