Enes Kanter

Enes Kanter faced a setback in his basketball career when the NCAA ruled him permanently ineligible before playing a game for the University of Kentucky. The NCAA determined he had received financial benefits in excess of what was permissible from his international team in Turkey before coming to play college basketball, which led to Kanter declaring for the NBA Draft where he was picked by the Utah Jazz.

Enes Kanter had a career-high scoring game on November 14, 2013, when he scored 26 points for the Utah Jazz in a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. This performance was a highlight in Kanter's early NBA career, showcasing his potential as a scoring big man. It helped establish his reputation as a capable offensive player in the league during his stint with the Jazz.

On May 20, 2017, Enes Kanter was temporarily detained at a Romanian airport after being informed that his Turkish passport had been canceled by the Turkish government. Kanter was a critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and an outspoken supporter of Fethullah Gülen, an exiled cleric accused by Turkey of orchestrating a failed coup attempt in 2016. His detention highlighted the tensions between Kanter and the Turkish government.

Enes Kanter, who was playing for the New York Knicks at the time, stated he would not join the team on their London trip due to fears for his life stemming from his outspoken criticism of the Turkish government. Kanter is a vocal critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and has been declared an enemy of the state by Turkey, leading to strained relations with his home country.

Enes Kanter, while playing with the New York Knicks, made a notable change to his uniform number from 00 to 11 in honor of his father, who was arrested in Turkey. Kanter has used his platform as an NBA player to bring attention to the political situation in Turkey, including the imprisonment and harassment of many Turkish citizens, which has included his family members as well.

Enes Kanter made a significant impact during his debut playoff game for the Portland Trail Blazers, scoring 20 points and grabbing 18 rebounds in a victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This performance showcased Kanter's abilities on the court and came amid a backdrop of his ongoing political struggles with Turkey, making it a memorable moment in his career.

On this day, Enes Kanter Freedom, born Enes Kanter in Switzerland to Turkish parents, was granted U.S. citizenship. Known for his professional basketball career in the NBA, Kanter has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and a critic of Turkey's political regime under President Erdoğan. Taking the last name Freedom symbolizes his appreciation for the liberty he found in the United States.

Enes Kanter legally changed his last name to 'Freedom' after completing the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship. This change was symbolic of his commitment to human rights and freedom of expression. The Boston Celtics player has consistently used his platform to address human rights abuses and political oppression in Turkey and around the world.

On February 10, 2022, Enes Kanter Freedom was waived by the Houston Rockets shortly after being traded from the Boston Celtics. This move marked a significant point in his NBA career, highlighting the business side of professional sports. Kanter continued to focus on his activism and speaking engagements after this event, maintaining his status as a vocal advocate for human rights.