When the New York Knicks traveled to the United Kingdom last week for the NBA’s annual London game, they were without one of their best players. Enes Kanter did not travel with the team, as part of his ongoing feud with the government of Turkey. Here’s what you need to know about the situation between Kanter and the president of his home country.
Biography
Born in Switzerland to Turkish nationals, Kanter was raised in Turkey most of his life. He grew up playing for the youth team of Fenerbahçe, a professional team based in Istanbul. After making his debut for the Turkish national team in 2008, Kanter was offered to play professionally in Europe. He chose to come to the United States instead.
In 2009, Kanter played a season of high school basketball in California. Soon after, he would commit to play for the University of Kentucky. However, the NCAA ruled Kanter ineligible to play collegiately because of the benefits he received while playing for Fenerbahçe.
The 6-foot-11 center was selected by the Utah Jazz with the third pick in the 2011 NBA draft. Kanter proved to be a solid young player with the Jazz before being traded to Oklahoma City during his fourth year in the league.
Once in OKC, Kanter put up career highs in points and rebounds, averaging nearly 19 and 11. He would sign a contract with the Thunder the following offseason, only to be moved two seasons later in the deal for Carmelo Anthony. While a solid defensive anchor, Kanter was recently demoted to the Knicks’ bench despite flashes of greatness.
International Controversy
Since leaving Turkey, Kanter has been an outspoken critic of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Last week, it was reported that Turkish authorities are seeking an international arrest warrant against Kanter, accusing him of being a member of a “terrorist organization.”
Kanter is a follower of Fethullah Gulen, a scholar, author and preacher, whose work is critical of the Erdogan government. Because of a corruption scandal in 2013, and a failed coup attempt in 2016, Turkey classifies the “Gulenist Movement” as a terrorist group.
Since the coup attempt, Kanter, like many, has spoken out against Erdogan. Kanter’s family has publicly disowned him for his support of Gulen.
In a 2017 piece for The Player’s Tribune, Kanter had a lot to say about Erdogan.
“I hope people around the world will open their eyes to the human rights abuses,” he said. “Things have gotten very bad over the last year. This is not my opinion.”
That same year, Turkey officially canceled Kanter’s passport, which has left him in a state of limbo, even to this day. Kanter has a visa to play in the NBA, but so far does not have permanent immigration status.
While Turkey is looking to extradite Gulen himself, as well as Kanter, United States officials do not view the Gulenist Movement as a terrorist group.
London trip, and what’s next
Instead of joining the Knicks for their trip to the United Kingdom, Kanter stayed at home, fearing for his safety overseas.
“There’s a chance I can get killed out there,” Kanter said prior to the trip. “That’s why I talked to the front office, and I’m not going. This is bigger than basketball.”
Former NBA player Hedo Turkoglu, who is now an advisor to Erdogan, spoke out against Kanter’s assassination fears. Turkoglu accused Kanter of “trying to get in the limelight” and a “smear campaign” for his decision to skip the London game.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said that player safety was his main priority and that threats against Kanter were taken very seriously.
“We live in a world where these are really significant issues that he’s dealing with,” said Silver. He called it “unfortunate” Kanter was not with the team. “I recognize for the NBA that by virtue of a fact we’re a global business, we have to pay attention to these issues,” Silver added.
Kanter said he was appreciative of how Silver and the NBA have handled the unfolding and complicated situation.
“I missed the guys and Adam Silver, I can’t thank him and the league enough. It means so much to me when they show me support,” said Kanter to the NY Post.
“I support Enes as a player in this league,” said Silver. “I support the platform players have to speak out on issues that are important to them.”
It is important that both the league and the Knicks organization continue to support Kanter however they can. Whether it be his safety, or immigration status, this is very important to show what kind of league the NBA is.
While the situation is scary and his future is uncertain, Kanter seems to be in good spirits and hasn’t lost his sense of humor.
Turkish Government can NOT present any single piece of evidence of my wrongdoing. 🤷♂️
I don’t even have a parking ticket in the US 😂 (True)
I have always been a law-abiding resident. 😇 https://t.co/DxLgvFcTST
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) January 16, 2019
The only thing I terrorize is the rim 😂 pic.twitter.com/T9mk3bkzKR
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) January 16, 2019
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