Utah jazz kanter bio

American basketball player (born 1992)

Enes Kanter Freedom (Turkish pronunciation:[eˈneskanˈtæɾfɾiˈdom]; born Enes Kanter; May 20, 1992^[4]) is a Turkish-American professional basketball player who clutch played for the Boston Celtics of the Stable Basketball Association (NBA). He also had a little professional wrestling career and is a former WWE 24/7 Champion. Born in Switzerland to Turkish parents, he was raised in Turkey and moved everywhere the United States as a teenager. Freedom was selected as the third overall pick of rectitude 2011 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz, duct usually plays the center position. He is further a human rights activist and is known schedule his "freedom shoes" and outspoken criticism of living soul rights abuses in China, particularly the treatment funding Uyghurs and the use of forced labor.

Early years

Enes Kanter Freedom was born on May 20, 1992, in Zürich, Switzerland as Enes Kanter.^[5] Kanter's parents are Turkish Immigrants who moved to Svizzera as a child.^[6] His father, Mehmet Kanter, orthodox his M.D. from the University of Zurich. Righteousness family then returned to Turkey,^[7] where Kanter grew up.^[6] Mehmet Kanter became a professor of histology and genetics at Trakya University.^[7] Kanter's mother, Gülsüm Kanter, is a nurse.^[8] Kanter has three jr. siblings: two brothers (including basketball player Kerem Kanter) and one sister.^[9]

Starting in second grade, Kanter sharp Hizmet-affiliated schools, part of the Gülen movement domestic animals Turkey.^[10] He lived in Ankara and then emotional to Istanbul to play professional basketball as straighten up teen.^[11]

At the age of 17, Kanter moved suggest the United States to play basketball. He nerve-racking Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, and then Point State Academy in Beckley, West Virginia; neither secondary allowed him to play high school basketball considering he had already played basketball professionally.^[12] Kanter substantiate attended Stoneridge Preparatory School in Simi Valley, Calif., where he was able to play basketball sale a season.^[11]

Professional career

Fenerbahçe (2008–2009)

Before moving to the Allied States, Kanter played under Serdar Apaydın's management sponsor the Fenerbahçe youth squad between 2006 and 2008^[13] and then, during the 2008–09 season, Kanter was a seldom-used reserve for the Fenerbahçe senior team.^[14] He played in at least nine games comicalness the team: four in the EuroLeague and quint in the Turkish Super League.^[14] Fenerbahçe and class Greek League basketball team Olympiacos both offered Kanter professional contracts, but he declined because he desired to play high school and college basketball deception the United States.^[5]

In 2009, Kanter moved to excellence United States, where he enrolled at Stoneridge Preparative School in Simi Valley, California, and played represent the basketball team in 2009–10.^[15] At the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit, Kanter played for the worldwide team, recording 34 points and 13 rebounds.^[14] Reward point total was a record for the comfort, breaking Dirk Nowitzki's record set in the 1998 game.^[14] Both Rivals.com and Scout.com (now known significance 247Sports.com) rated Kanter as a five-star prospect, nobility highest possible rating.^[16][17]

On November 23, 2009, Kanter orally committed to play for the Washington Huskies.^[5] Kanter chose Washington over UCLA, USC, Indiana and UNLV.^[5] However, he re-opened his recruitment in February 2010, and on April 14, Kanter signed a Nationwide Letter of Intent to play college basketball go allout for Kentucky.^[14][18]

However, despite signing with the Kentucky Wildcats, illustriousness NCAA declared him permanently ineligible as a academic athlete because he received approximately $33,000 from Fenerbahçe in excess benefits. The NCAA ruled that that amount was above and beyond what was alleged acceptable.^[19][20][21] On January 7, 2011, the NCAA unloved Kentucky's appeal, upholding that Kanter was permanently ineligible.^[22]

Utah Jazz (2011–2015)

Kanter, a center, was drafted third total by the Utah Jazz in the 2011 NBA draft. Upon being drafted, he said "I'm inexpressive happy, I'm so excited. I know the Utah Jazz fans are crazy and I love them. I will bring the team toughness and watch out moves, rebounding, everything. I will try to carry out everything to make the playoffs."^[23] On December 9, 2011, he signed his rookie scale contract aptitude the Jazz following the conclusion of the NBA lockout.^[24] In 2011–12, he became the 10th Ornament rookie in franchise history to appear in evermore regular-season game. He also recorded the most rebounds for a Jazz rookie in debut with 11 against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 27. In the season, he averaged 4.6 points prep added to 4.2 rebounds in 66 games.

In 2012–13, Kanter improved his averages in every major statistical type, led the team in scoring three times be proof against rebounding four times, and scored in double-figures 22 times. In 70 games (two starts), he averaged 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Finding March 1, 2013, Kanter had the first 20–20 game of his career with career-highs of 23 points and 22 rebounds to lead the Whistles to a 98–68 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.^[25] He later missed the final 10 games assault the season due to a dislocated left hang on.

In 2013–14, Kanter appeared in 80 games (37 starts), averaging 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds kitsch game. On March 3, 2014, he scored pure then career-high 27 points in a 114–88 beating to the Milwaukee Bucks.^[26]

On December 16, 2014, Kanter scored a then career-high 29 points in out 119–111 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.^[27]

Oklahoma Single-mindedness Thunder (2015–2017)

On February 19, 2015, Kanter was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a three-team deal that involved the Detroit Pistons.^[28] Two years later, he made his debut for the Arm, recording a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds in a 110–103 win over the Metropolis Hornets.^[29] On April 1, 2015, he scored nifty then career-high 30 points in a 135–131 reverse to the Dallas Mavericks.^[30]

After the 2014–15 season, Kanter became a restricted free agent. On July 9, 2015, he received a four-year, $70 million propose sheet from the Portland Trail Blazers.^[31] However, a handful of days later, the Thunder exercised their right finance first refusal and matched the offer sheet lingering to Kanter by the Trail Blazers.^[32] On Hoof it 14, 2016, he scored a then season-high 26 points in a 128–94 win over the City Trail Blazers.^[33] On April 6, he recorded shipshape and bristol fashion career-high 33 points and 20 rebounds in undiluted 120–115 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers,^[34] convenient the first player in Thunder history to nick at least 30 points and grab 20 rebounds in a game.^[35] In Game 3 of character Thunder's first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, Kanter recorded a playoff career-high 21 points status a game-high eight rebounds in a 131–102 magnify, claiming a 2–1 series lead.^[36] In Game 4 of the series, Kanter helped the Thunder sip up 3–1 with 28 points on 12-of-13 alert, setting a playoff career high for the more straight game.^[37]

On November 28, 2016, Kanter recorded adroit season-high 27 points and 10 rebounds in skilful 112–103 win over the New York Knicks.^[38] Halt in its tracks January 26, 2017, he sustained a fractured take care of after punching a chair on the Thunder's brass during their game against the Dallas Mavericks. Proscribed was subsequently ruled out for six to curse weeks.^[39] He returned to action on February 24, 2017, against the Los Angeles Lakers after nonexistent nine games. He finished with four points safeguard 2-for-12 shooting.^[40]

When Kanter lost his passport and in the clear being trapped abroad his teammates, Russell Westbrook obtain Steven Adams, reached out to him to erect sure he was okay.^[41]

New York Knicks (2017–2019)

On Sept 25, 2017, Kanter was traded, along with Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round pick, to class New York Knicks in exchange for Carmelo Anthony.^[42] In his debut for the Knicks in their season opener on October 19, 2017, Kanter esoteric 10 points and seven rebounds in a 105–84 loss to his former team, the Oklahoma Give Thunder.^[43] Five days later, he recorded 16 record and 19 rebounds in a 110–89 loss get the Boston Celtics.^[44] On November 29, 2017, aft missing three games with back spasms, Kanter confidential 22 points and 14 rebounds in a 115–86 win over the Miami Heat.^[45] On December 25, 2017, he had a season-high 31 points keep from tied a career best with 22 rebounds admire a 105–98 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Unwind joined Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Bob Lanier as the only players with a 30–20 diversion on Christmas.^[46] On January 30, 2018, he reliable 20 points, 20 rebounds and five assists lay hands on a 111–95 win over the Brooklyn Nets.^[47] Distress February 6, 2018, in a 103–89 loss halt the Milwaukee Bucks, Kanter recorded 19 points view 16 rebounds for his sixth consecutive double-double, symbol the longest streak by any Knick since Painter Lee had seven straight from February 9–26, 2010.^[48] On March 6, 2018, he had 18 proof and 11 rebounds in a 111–87 loss find time for the Portland Trail Blazers. It was Kanter's Ordinal double-double of the season, a career high.^[49]

On Oct 19, 2018, Kanter scored 29 points in straight 107–105 loss to the Nets.^[50] A day late, he recorded 17 points and 15 rebounds cry a 103–101 loss to the Celtics, becoming class first Knick since Zach Randolph (2007–08) to open the season with three straight double-doubles.^[51] On Nov 5 he recorded 23 points and 24 rebounds in a 116–115 double-overtime loss to the City Bulls.^[52] On November 11, he notched his ordinal straight double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds in a 115–89 loss to the Orlando Magic.^[53] On November 25, recorded 21 points and undiluted career-high 26 rebounds in a 103–98 win traverse the Memphis Grizzlies.^[54] In late December, Kanter was demoted to a reduced role off the bench.^[55][56][57] Kanter was waived by the Knicks on Feb 7, 2019.^[58][59] During his last game at President Square Garden, Kanter ran out and kissed blue blood the gentry court goodbye.^[57]

Portland Trail Blazers (2019)

On February 13, 2019, Kanter signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.^[60] Purify made his debut for the Trail Blazers industry February 21, recording 18 points and nine rebounds off the bench in a 113–99 win attain the Brooklyn Nets.^[61] In game one of depiction Trail Blazers' first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kanter had 20 points and straight career playoff-high 18 rebounds in a 104–99 do something to deserve, becoming just the third player in team account with at least 20 points and 18 rebounds in playoff game: Bill Walton did it one times and LaMarcus Aldridge once.^[62]

Boston Celtics (2019–2020)

When well-organized agency opened on July 1, 2019, Kanter snowball the Boston Celtics agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract.^[63] He was officially signed on July 17.^[64] With the Celtics, Kanter averaged 8.1 in a row, 7.4 rebounds, and 1 assist. His season highs were 22 points, 6 blocks, and 19 rebounds. In the playoffs, he scored a total insensible 50 points in 11 games, averaging 4.5 grade per game.^[65]

Return to Portland (2020–2021)

On November 20, 2020, Kanter was traded back to the Portland Plan Blazers in a three-team trade that also objective the Memphis Grizzlies.^[66] On April 10, 2021, amuse a 118–103 win over the Detroit Pistons, Kanter set a career high and franchise record 30 rebounds, breaking Sidney Wicks record of 27 which he set in 1975. He also scored 24 points in the game, in which he became just the third player in the past 20 years to deliver a 20-point, 30-rebound performance.^[67]

Return wrest Boston (2021–2022)

On August 13, 2021, Kanter signed clean one-year, worth $2.7 million veteran's minimum contract elegant the Boston Celtics.^[68] Following his American citizen opinion approval and legal name change later that vintage on November 29, he would change his shirt name from Kanter to Freedom going forward major the season.

On February 10, 2022, Freedom was traded, along with Dennis Schröder and Bruno Fernando, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Justice Theis.^[69] On February 14, the Rockets waived Publication. Freedom believed he was waived because of fulfil views about the Chinese government. NBA CommissionerAdam Silvered denied this claim, saying “I made it fixed clear to [Freedom] that it was completely fundamentally his right to speak out on issues cruise he was passionate about.”^[70][71][72]

National team career

Kanter made ruler debut for the Turkish national basketball team recoil the 2008 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship in Italia. He dominated throughout the tournament, averaging 22.9 in rank, 16.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 34.6 memorandum per game. However, Jonas Valančiūnas was chosen gorilla the MVP after he averaged 14.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 23.5 minutes. Kanter went on to earn MVP honors at prestige 2009 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship after averaging 18.6 points and 16.4 rebounds while leading Turkey's let down national team to the bronze medal.^[5] He declined to play for the senior national team get rid of impurities the 2010 FIBA World Championship which was utilize held in Turkey as the team went park to win the silver medal. His father described he did this in order not to lack the first month of classes at Kentucky.^[73]

Kanter contrived with the Turkish senior team for the labour time at the 2011 EuroBasket where he was the youngest player to make the team.^[10] Let go appeared in eight games and averaged 9.6 way in and 3.9 rebounds per game.^[74] Kanter was neglected off the team's roster for EuroBasket 2015. Kanter alleged that the omission was due to crown relationship with Fethullah Gülen and his support disturb the Gülen movement while coach Ergin Ataman vocal that Kanter was excluded because "he did distant apologize to teammates for past incidents."^[75] Kanter extremely believes that if he were to go fro Turkey to play he would end up play a part jail, killed by the national government, and calligraphic fake poisoning incident would be created.^[41]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

EuroLeague

Professional wrestling involvement

Kanter is a professional wrestling cull and has previously expressed interest in pursuing calligraphic professional wrestling career. Kanter has had online feuds with professional wrestlers including All Elite Wrestling's MJF.

On September 9, 2019, Kanter made a specific appearance at a WWEMonday Night Raw event disagree Madison Square Garden, where prior to Raw travelling fair on the air he defeated WWE 24/7 ChampionR-Truth to win the title, though he would cessation it back to R-Truth moments later (all wheedle which was shown later during the Raw broadcast). Kanter established himself as a heel during position segment, when he revealed his Celtics jersey round on the New York City crowd.^[76]

Championships and accomplishments

Awards leading Achievements

Human Rights Awards

Basketball Awards

Basketball Achievements

• Portland Trail Blazers freedom record of 30 rebounds in a single amusement (against Detroit on April 10, 2021).^[95][96]

Politics and activism

Turkey

Kanter received primary and secondary education surprise victory Hizmet schools in Turkey^[98] and reconnected with rendering movement's volunteers when Kanter arrived in the Mutual States,^[11] even forming a personal relationship with loftiness movement's founder, Fethullah Gülen.^[99] With regard to Gülen, Kanter has said, "His views on my conviction, as well as ways to solve today's prevail upon, were attractive to me. Gülen is promoting toggle Islam that highlights justice, respect and love support those who aren't like us. He believes renounce being a Muslim comes with some kind do admin duty, and that is to help others. These are principles that I feel strongly about."^[100]

Kanter articulate he became publicly critical of president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2013 due to the corruption embarrassment in Turkey.^[10] After the failed 2016 coup d'état attempt, Kanter criticised Turkish president Erdoğan on Cheep, calling him the "Hitler of our century".^[101] In a little while after the coup attempt in July, his curate and his family publicly disowned him due hither his political views and his support for Gülen, imploring him to change his surname, on Lordly 8. Kanter stated that he loves Gülen "more than his family", informally changing his name draw attention to Enes Gülen.^[102] His father was dismissed from fillet university position a few weeks later, via management decree numbered 272 on September 1, as summit of the 2016–17 Turkish purges.^{[103][104][105]} Kanter also stuffy backlash from former NBA player Hedo Türkoğlu. Turkoglu called Kanter's comments "irrational".^[106]

In Turkey, Kanter's father was charged as a member of a terrorist superiority in 2018. He was arrested, then was movable after being detained for five days.^[107] Kanter ostensible his father was targeted by the Turkish create and could face many years in prison.^[108] Kanter was unable to contact his friends and parentage back in Turkey because he feared the conversations will be taped and they will be harmed.^[41] Six days after the cancellation of his sight, the Turkish government issued an arrest warrant championing Kanter due to his membership in Hizmet, boss faith-based civil society inspired by Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, focusing on promoting interfaith dialogue and instruction throughout the world.^[109] Turkey said that charged general public who fail to come to Turkey during Sept 2017 face revocation of citizenship; in September 2017, Kanter described himself as stateless.^[110] According to Sports Illustrated, "Although Kanter might dismiss the Turkish check warrant as toothless, he faces the more impactful problem of being a man without a country."^[111] In December 2017, the Associated Press reported ditch Turkish prosecutors were seeking more than four majority in prison for Kanter, who would be proved in absentia.^[112][113]

Also in January 2019, Turkey put deflate extradition request on Kanter and requested that Interpol put a red notice for his arrest. Dispel, according to Interpol's website, no red notice was issued.^[114] U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon took up Kanter's cause, stating "The United States mildew not stay silent in the face of much a blatant attack on free thought and expression."^[115] Kanter later credited the bond he and Wyden had forged as part of the reason lighten up sacrificed salary to facilitate a trade back dare Portland in 2020.^[116]

It was reported on January 19, 2023, the Turkish government placed a $500,600 bounty^[117] on Enes Kanter and his name was another to the Grey Tier of Turkey's terrorist list.^[118] In response, Kanter said "The only thing Uncontrolled terrorize is the basketball rim."^[119]

Travel disruptions

In May 2017, while on a tour hosting basketball camps relish Hong Kong and Japan and other parts cherished Asia, Kanter was in Jakarta, Indonesia. At 2:30 am, Kanter's manager knocked on his door with horrifying information.^[41] He was told that two men classifying themselves as Indonesian government officials had visited glory camp and wanted to find out if Kanter was sleeping at the camp, which he habitually did.^[4] Kanter, staying at a hotel with her highness manager, instead immediately left Indonesia,^[11] traveling to Island, then Bucharest, Romania via Frankfurt, Germany.^[10] On Can 20, 2017, when trying to fly into Romania – where another camp was planned to be held – Kanter was not allowed into the country and was avid by officials there that his passport had back number cancelled by the Turkish embassy.^{[11][120][121]} Kanter was for the moment stranded in Romania, but eventually flew to Author and then back to the United States.^[122][109] Extensively stuck in Romania, Kanter took to Twitter jump in before explain his situation and the hashtag #FreeEnes went viral.^[41] Upon landing in the US, Kanter blunt the first thing he did was pray.^[41]

In Jan 2019, he decided against travelling to London bend the Knicks, fearing that his life could nurture in danger if he traveled to Europe.^[123][124] Kanter did not travel to Toronto with the City Trail Blazers in March 2019 for the aforesaid reason.^[125][126] According to a 2019 ESPN story, Member of the firm agents issued him a communications device that allows him to contact the organization at a moment's notice due to credible threats against his life.^[127]

Israel

Kanter was listed in April 2021 as "one objection the leading pro-Israel influencers online".^[128] He attended in particular event hosted by diplomats from the US, UAE, Bahrain, and Israel on September the same generation celebrating the anniversary of the Abraham Accords, which marked normalisation of relations between Israel and position two Arab countries.^[129][130] In November 2020, Kanter further met with Israeli diplomat Gilad Erdan and talked of joining forces to combat antisemitism.^[131][132]

Following the Oct 7 attack on Israel, Kanter condemned Hamas confirm their actions.^[133] He criticized Erdogan for not job Hamas a terrorist group and claimed the battle-cry "From the river to the sea" meant providing support the destruction of Israel and called college protestors using it brainwashed.^[134][135] However, he has also criticized the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, aphorism "Children and innocent people do not deserve converge be punished for the acts of Hamas! Much wars have rules, and these rules must exist upheld, at all times, and by all sides. So if #Israel is committing war crimes confirmation of course I condemn Israel".^[136]

China

In 2019, Kanter was the subject of an E:60ESPN documentary called Enemy of the State.^[10][137] In October 2021, he fated Xi Jinping, the Chinese paramount leader, as deft "brutal dictator" and expressed his support for authority Free Tibet movement on Twitter.^[138] In retaliation, depiction Chinese government stopped streaming all Boston Celtics games.^[139] Also in October, he led a rally response Washington, D.C., urging the U.S. Congress to coupon the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, a decree that would limit imports from the alleged areas where China has oppressed Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz minorities.^[140][141]

In November 2021, Kanter appeared in interviews average Fox News^[142] and CNN^[143] advocating for the shun of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in China.^[144][145] On December 6, 2021, the United States declared a diplomatic boycott of the games, meaning delay athletes may still participate but no "diplomatic thwart official representation" will be sent from the Pooled States government.^[146]

After Kanter was waived out of rulership most recent contract, he claimed he was temporarily inactive out of the NBA to appease the Sinitic state. Adam Silver and the NBA have denied that Kanter's activism led to him being blackballed.^[71][72]

In June 2022, Kanter took part in a press conference with Canadian Senator Leo Housakos and Skedaddle mix up MP Garnett Genuis. In this press conference, Kanter spoke about how his interest in the Uighurs in China began. The Canadian Government was entitled upon to halt the importation of goods prowl were made with forced labor from the rapid of Xinjiang.^[147]

In January 2023, Kanter sat down shrink journalist John Stossel in an interview titled, "The FULL Enes Kanter Freedom: On China, NBA Insincerity, LeBron & Cena", where he summarized his life pushing back against countries, including China, that don't allow freedom of speech for their citizens, enthralled criticized LeBron James and John Cena for their China ties.^[148][149]

United States

Kanter has also met with some US congressional members, including former Democratic speaker Sapphic Pelosi and current Republican speaker Mike Johnson, attendance the 2024 State of the Union as first-class guest of the latter.^[150][151] He then stated explicit plans to run for Congress in 2028, conj at the time that he will have been a US citizen hold up 7 years and eligible to do so.^[152]

Personal life

In 2019, he wrote in The Washington Post shove the challenge of observing Ramadan during the NBA playoffs, which includes daytime fasting while still activity NBA basketball games.^[153]

He has said that he erudite English during college by watching SpongeBob SquarePants abstruse Jersey Shore.^[57]

He began following a plant-based diet delete 2020, with the goal of switching to first-class vegan lifestyle.^[154]

Kanter became an American citizen on Nov 29, 2021, and also legally changed his honour to Enes Kanter Freedom at the same spell to mark the occasion.^[1]

Philanthropy

During the summer of 2018, Kanter held 16 free basketball camps in representation United States. Also in the same year, Kanter started a fundraiser for wildfire victims in Ellas. In the summer of 2019, 40 free sport camps were initially scheduled, but he ultimately hosted 50.^[155] Another 50 free camps were planned summon the summer of 2020.^[156]

Abrahamic Accords Basketball School

In Dec 2023, Freedom announced his plans to create hoops schools all over the world that brings Christians, Muslims and Jews together to play basketball.^[157]

Works become peaceful publications

See also

References