Utah Senator Mike Lee recently tweeted in support of NBA player Enes Kanter, praising him for his advocacy for free speech. Kanter, who currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers, has been an outspoken critic of the Turkish government and its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Kanter was born in Switzerland to Turkish parents but grew up in Turkey. He began playing basketball professionally at a young age and quickly made a name for himself as one of the country’s top players. However, his career took a turn when he became involved in politics.
In 2013, Kanter publicly criticized Erdogan on Twitter over his handling of protests in Istanbul’s Gezi Park. The following year, he refused to play for the Turkish national team after being left off the roster due to his political views.
Since then, Kanter has become an ardent supporter of democracy and human rights. He has spoken out against Erdogan’s crackdown on opposition voices and has called attention to Turkey’s treatment of its Kurdish minority.
However, this activism has come with a cost: Kanter is now considered an enemy of the state by the Turkish government. In 2017, he was detained at an airport in Romania after Turkey revoked his passport. He was eventually able to return to the United States with help from U.S. officials.
Kanter’s advocacy has also put him at odds with some members of Utah’s political establishment. In 2019, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams criticized Kanter for “disrespecting” Turkey during a visit to Salt Lake City. Adams later clarified that he did not want anyone to be harmed because of their beliefs but that “there are times when we need diplomacy.”
Despite these challenges, Kanter remains committed to speaking out about issues important to him – including free speech and democracy more broadly – both on and off the court.
Lee’s tweet recognizes this commitment while also highlighting another side of Kanter: his prowess as a basketball player. Kanter has played for several NBA teams over the course of his career, including the Utah Jazz – where he was known for his fierce competitiveness on the court.
Jazz fans know him as a fierce competitor on the court, but off the court, he’s an ardent ambassador for free speech. Congratulations to @EnesFreedom on this well-deserved recognition. https://t.co/sH15d5k1dk
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) April 9, 2021
Kanter responded to Lee’s tweet with gratitude and a call for continued support of human rights:
Thank you so much Senator!! Appreciate your kind words and support 🙏🏼🙏🏼 Let’s continue to stand together for Freedom and Human Rights ✊🏼 https://t.co/hhEjOWiGxs
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) April 10, 2021
The intersection of sports and politics is not new – athletes have long used their platforms to advocate for social justice causes. However, Kanter’s case is notable in that it involves not just U.S. domestic issues but also international ones.
His story highlights both the power of individual activism and its limitations in the face of state repression. It also raises important questions about how governments should balance diplomatic concerns with respect for human rights.
As Kanter continues to speak out against oppression and authoritarianism around the world – while also excelling on the basketball court – it seems likely that more politicians like Lee will take notice and offer their support.
In doing so, they can help amplify voices like Kanter’s that are working tirelessly to promote freedom and democracy even in some of the darkest corners of our world today.