Enes Kanter Freedom on Ergin Ataman: 'He's a good coach, but not a good human being' / News - Basketnews.com

BasketNews caught up with Enes Kanter Freedom for a discussion on his basketball future, the moral stance of NBA stars, the things he'd change in his career, and his relationship with Mario Hezonja. The veteran center also clarified that he wouldn't consider joining a team coached by Ergin Ataman.

Credit: Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images; Vangelis Stolis Credit Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images; Vangelis Stolis

It was February 2, 2022, whenEnes Kanter Freedomplayed his last game in the NBA. He recorded seven points and 12 rebounds in the Boston Celtics' blowout win (126-91) over the Brooklyn Nets.

Enes Kanter Freedom

Position:PF, CAge:31Height:211 cmWeight:121 kgBirth place:Zurich, SwitzerlandProfileNewsStatistics

Since then, the Turkish-born U.S. citizen hasn't stepped on the floor as a professional athlete.

Kanter Freedom, 31, has been an outspoken critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He has faced serious legal issues, as his passport was revoked by his home country in 2017. Furthermore, his name appears onTurkey's Terrorist Wanted List, along witha $500,000 rewardin exchange for information that could lead to his arrest.

Even though he's banned from traveling to most countries around the world, Kanter Freedom has been able to visit Greece several times in the past few years. On the occasion of his last trip to the country, he participated in an event hosted by the Municipality of Vrilissia, an area situated in Athens' northern suburbs.

BasketNewscaught up with him for a short discussion on his basketball future, the moral stance of NBA stars, the things he'd change in his career if he could, and his relationship with Mario Hezonja.

Despitebeing a declared Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens fan, the veteran center also clarified that he wouldn't consider joining a team coached byErgin Ataman.

Is that $500,000 bounty on your head still valid?It is. When you fight against dictators, they'll do anything to silence you. Putting a bounty on an American citizen's head is impossible, and that shows Erdogan's character.

To what extent has it changed your life?Right now, I can only go to 29 countries in the world. My name is on Interpol's list. Everywhere I go, I have to let the FBI know. But freedom comes with consequences, and I don't regret it.

Do you believe you're going to play professional basketball again?It's looking tough because the NBA is in bed with China, it's controlled by the Chinese communist party. So, I don't think it's going to happen in the NBA.

Maybe in the future, I'll play in

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