Enes Kanter Freedom: Turkey Reportedly Place $500K Bounty on Ex NBA Player

• Ex-NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom is a wanted man
• $500,000 has been offered for information leading to the capture of Freedom
• Kanter played in the NBA for 11 seasons and is known for his criticism of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Enes Kanter Freedom last played an NBA game on 8th February 2022. Now, the 6-foot-10 former center is now a wanted man.

Multiple reports have revealed that the former Knicks, Jazz, Blazers and Thunder has a roughly $500,000 bounty on his head due to his relentless criticism of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Kanter spent 11 years in the NBA and was a prominent critic of Erdogan in his native Turkey. The 30-year-old's Turkish passport was canceled while traveling abroad and his father was shortly imprisoned by the Turkish government.

He also launched a scathing attack on LeBron James' relationship with Nike and the company's alleged forced labor practices in China.

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The former center changed his name to Enes Kanter Freedom before becoming an American citizen in November 2021, per the Athletic.

Bounty on Kanter

The athlete’s name reportedly appears on the Turkish Terrorist Wanted List along with actual terrorists and fellow dissidents critical of the Erdoğan regime.

Kanter confirmed that there was a bounty in an exclusive with the New York Post. He said that being on the list is now dangerous.

“That makes it so dangerous. Before the bounty, Turkish intelligence were after the people on the list, but now everyone is after them because they want the money.”

The Swiss-born athlete now says he's being blackballed by the NBA because of his outspokenness.

“The NBA is never going to admit it, but I believe I’m being blackballed. I’ve had many conversations and everyone is saying the same thing: ‘Your career has ended because of your China comments.’”

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During his 11 years in the NBA, Kanter played 748 games averaging 11.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists, shooting 54.8 from the field and 77.7 from the free throw line, per Basketball Reference.

James wants to play with Bronny

Sports Brief earlier reported on Lakers superstar LeBron James expressing his desire to play with his son Bronny in the NBA.

His eldest son, currently a senior in high school, is not eligible to play in the NBA until the 2024/25 season under the rules of the current collective bargaining agreement.

Bronny, 18 is a 6-foot-3 combo guard with a good shot and basketball IQ.