The security guards awaited Enes Kanter Freedom at the coffee shop. From the looks of it, it was as if the president of the United States or some crime boss was about to arrive, not a Turkish NBA player, who was selected third in the 2011 draft. But this is what happens when a larger-than-life professional athlete takes on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan or comes out against China.
"My career was hit bigtime. I haven't seen my family for nine years," Kanter said after he and his massive entourage arrived and took their seats. "People need to understand that the things I talk about are larger than me or even basketball. Money is important, glory is important, but the values are more important."
Q: Where are you going to play next year?
"Probably not in the NBA. Because the league is too intimidated by China as this is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Just last year, more people in China watched NBA games than the total US population."
Q: Commissioner Adam Silver said that it is your right to speak your mind.
"That's a lie. Last week recordings emerged in which NBA officials – including one of the owners – could be heard saying that this is a business and that talking about China would eventually force you out of the league. I am 30, and I don't want to retire. I can easily play for another five years. But I can't even play in the EuroLeague because Turkish Airlines is a sponsor, so I set up a foundation and I plan to be involved in that."
Q: But haven't you had a good time playing the game?
"I had a great time. I have played for 11 years in the league, I called my fellow teammates "brothers" but now, unfortunately, they are too afraid to even text or call me. I still love them."
Q: Can you understand where they are coming from?
"No, I offered them to join me, I told them we can create a movement, but they responded with, 'We love you and support you but we cannot be outspoken about it.' When I asked them why they said, 'We have sponsorship agreements with shoe manufacturers and we want to play in the league for many years.'
"I have been speaking on human rights. I have never said 'vote for this person or that person.' I believe that God gave athletes a huge platform and you are like an educator and that is an immense responsibility. You have to talk about what's happening around the world, to inspire and encourage, especially the younger generations."
Q: Can you change the world?
"I can, this is why I am here, in Israel. When was the last time that a Muslim person arrived here to promote peace and coexistence, and I am not just talking about athletes. I would like to be the one who makes the first step, because I know that my visit will inspire many Muslim children, regardless of what their parents tell them. That's because the younger generations follow me.."
Q: You are not the only one who has had to deal with Erdogan, Israel has also had its ups and downs with him, mainly downs.
"There are elections in Turkey in 2023, so he trying to come closer to America and Israel, but I have been with so many world leaders who have told me, 'You can't trust a dictator, because as soon as he gets what he wants, he will turn on you.'"
Q: Do you want to enter politics?
"I have asked many whether this is important but they said 'absolutely not,', especially in the US, which is so polarized. They explained that if I throw my hat in the ring, I would have to choose a side and then I would lose 50% of the population. Human rights are not just about politics."
Kanter Freedom arrived in Israel under the auspices of the Jewish-American association Bnai Zion. The CEO and founder, Rabbi Ari Lamm, has been following the player as an avid fan for the New York Knicks, together with COO Justin B. Hayet. They brought him to Jerusalem, where he was to run a basketball camp for Muslims, Jews, Christian, and Druze kids.
"This is a war zone," he said after I reminded him about the ongoing tensions surrounding the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which he said he wanted to visit. "My visit shows that I don't mind; what I care about is the peace and we are going to play basketball and put together the same team of Muslim and Jewish kids and they will learn how to win together. We will start building something big."
Q: So why Israel out of all places?
"This is the craziest story. When I was eight, times were tough in Turkey. I remember that one day I went down to play with friends and saw them burning Israeli and American flags. I was really scared and didn't know what to do. I went back up to the apartment and my mother told me, 'I am not going to tell you what to do but don't hate anyone until you have actually met them.'
"When I was 17 I landed in Chicago for the first time. I was so scared and nervous because I had grown up in an environment where I was preached to hate the West. When two Americans started talking to me I turned my back on them, because I didn't know what to expect. I started talking and shook their hands, and they were the nicest people ever, right from our first encounter. It did not take long before I met a Jewish girl who invited me over to a Shabbat dinner. When I was there I asked her whether she was Turkish, because everything seemed so similar: the food, the culture, the songs. Everyone was just so nice, so I told myself that I had to spread this message to every Muslim I meet. Ever since I have been texting my Jewish friends every week asking if I can come to Shabbat dinner. I have even started listening to Omer Adam."
Q: Have you met Deni Avdija?
"We first met when I played against him in DC. At halftime, I went over to shake hands and told him, 'stand for your country, your people, and your flag.' He has a great platform to inspire millions. I hold him in high regard."
Q: His first years in the league were not so easy.
"The NBA is tough. You play against Kevin Durant qne LeBron James, but this is what it takes to succeed. He constantly needs to focus on how to be a team player and bring good vibes. He has an important role because he represents Israel, he carries a lot on his shoulders."
Q: You were selected third in the Draft, he came in ninth. Does that place pressure on you?
"It is an immense responsibility to be among the top ten because everyone expects so much from you, so it is best to ignore the background noise because many will try to speak with him and dispense advice. You need to focus on how to improve and help the team."
Kanter Freedom said that he tried to have dinner with Omri Casspi, with which he has remained in contact. We asked him to name the best player that he has met. "I played against Kobe Bryant," he reminded me. "I would say Kobi and Giannis [Antetokounmpo] and of course LeBron."
Q: What is the best team you have played against?
"Golden State Warriors. I hated playing against them, perhaps because it is one of the greatest teams of all time. Its three-pointers are just unstoppable."
Q: Let's say Maccabi Tel Aviv asks you to come, what will you say?
"Of course, I would be happy. As a teenager, I watched the Euroleague, especially Panathinaikos and Maccabi Tel Aviv, because they were very successful. When I grew up I was told 'don't root for Maccabi, because you will be called a traitor,' but here I am, in Israel, for the first time. So why not? It will be amazing."
Q: Do you fear for your life?
"Of course, at least twice or three times a week. I work closely with the FBI and when I fly to other countries I stay in contact with the local security services. This is just how it is, people need to know that in order for others to live better, their actions could have consequences."
