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Enes Kanter Freedom has revealed that he exchanged private messages with Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham following his removal from an Aug. 23 game against the Chicago Sky.

During an appearance on Fox News’ “The Big Weekend Show,” Kanter Freedom said Cunningham contacted him afterward and asked: “What happened?”

He said his response was straightforward: “I just got up and opened my arms in the air and said, ‘I’m here to protect my friends.’”

Kanter Freedom has not released their full conversation, but described Cunningham as a friend and praised her position on men in women’s sports.

“She’s standing for the truth… I think she’s an idol now and an American hero,” Kanter said. “I’m just really happy that finally someone from the WNBA got up and said, ‘Enough is enough. We have to stand for American values.’”

Cunningham has previously said she wants to “protect young girls” from competing against “biological men,” while rejecting claims that she hates transgender people.

However, she has not publicly joined Kanter Freedom’s wider campaign against the WNBA’s eligibility policies.

Kanter Freedom has declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft, demanded changes to the league’s eligibility language and challenged commissioner Cathy Engelbert to a public discussion.

His support for Cunningham brought him courtside for the Fever-Sky game, where an exchange with Natasha Cloud eventually resulted in security removing him from the arena.

Kanter Freedom has since filed a federal lawsuit over his ejection and arena ban.

Sky owner Michael Alter called the case “meritless and frivolous,” arguing that Kanter Freedom was removed because of his conduct rather than his views.