What is it like to lose everything overnight because you chose to speak freely about the regime in your homeland? Regardless of one’s opinion of Enes Kanter, he has a story—and countless experiences—worth telling.
His book, In the Name of Freedom, is already a bestseller in the United States and has now been released in Greece. Through protothema.gr, the Turkish athlete, activist, and now author shares part of what lies within its pages. Beyond his personal journey, the book recounts the struggle of a political dissident advocating for human rights in the NBA and around the world.
The foreword is signed by Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens, with whom Kanter has developed a special relationship. Together they plan to organize basketball camps in Greece with a central message of unity through diversity. As Kanter reveals, the Archbishop told him that despite being 87 years old, he looks forward to taking a few shots with him.
“Why I Wrote the Book”
Asked what led him to write his own book, Kanter says the new generation was at the center of his thinking.
“Many young people believe freedom is guaranteed,” he says, explaining that this complacency motivated him to document his personal journey.
“This book aims to bring people closer together. If we want a better and brighter future, we must educate and inspire young people,” he stresses. “I want to share a story that gives kids strength to keep going, no matter the obstacles, and never back down from bullies or injustice.”
“I Received Threats from Turks Because I Met Archbishop Ieronymos”
Regarding his relationship with the Greek Orthodox Church and the Archbishop’s foreword, Kanter notes:
“As a Muslim, it was important for me to connect with people of different faiths and promote dialogue and understanding. The world desperately needs that.”
He says he received threats from Turkish nationalists for collaborating with the Archbishop, as it was seen as provocative by Erdogan supporters.
“But when I met him, he was warm and kind. He told me he’d like to attend one of my basketball camps and shoot a few hoops. It was a beautiful and unexpected friendship.”
He adds that religion should bring peace, not division. “Erdogan holds the Quran and says, ‘If I steal, I do it in the name of God. If I imprison people, I do it in the name of God.’ And people believe him. That’s why education is so important. When people read and think critically, dictators don’t like it.”
Travel Restrictions and Interpol
Kanter cannot travel to Turkey, where he is labeled a “terrorist” by Erdogan’s government. His citizenship and passport were revoked, and he says even his family cannot communicate with him. Anyone publicly associated with him risks being labeled an “enemy of the state.”
“I never imagined they would put my name on Interpol’s list as a terrorist,” he says. “All I ever terrorized were basketball rims.”
Now an American citizen, he can travel to only 29 countries due to sanctions and security concerns. “It’s heartbreaking,” he says, expressing hope that conditions will improve after Erdogan leaves office.
Regarding Greece, he says he feels relatively safe but travels with security due to the presence of Turkish intelligence services.
Greece–Turkey Relations
Kanter questions the hostility between Greeks and Turks, noting their cultural similarities.
“Erdogan fuels hatred—not just against Turkey’s own people, but against Greece, Cyprus, Armenia, the Kurds. He spreads division everywhere,” he says, referencing past inflammatory rhetoric.
Asked whether he would return to Turkey after Erdogan leaves power, he expresses concern about potential instability but says he hopes to visit one day.
Ataman, Osman, Fournier
During his career, Kanter was linked with Panathinaikos BC and now describes himself as a fan.
When asked if he would play for the team today, he suggests it would be unlikely because of coach Ergin Ataman, whom he criticizes as having a large ego and close ties to Erdogan.
As for playing alongside Cedi Osman or Evan Fournier, Kanter says he would choose Fournier, his former youth teammate, implying Osman is aligned with Erdogan’s system.
He also admits many compatriots privately supported him but were afraid to defend him publicly. “Erdogan has created a climate of fear. This is a very lonely fight.”
“I Lost Millions and My Family to Be a Voice for the Voiceless”
Reflecting on his sacrifices, Kanter says losing his family has been the hardest blow—more painful than losing millions of dollars or his NBA career.
“But there are thousands of families in prison in Turkey. Nearly 1,000 children are jailed with their mothers,” he says. “I had to use my platform to be a voice for those who have none.”
The Core Message: Freedom Comes at a Cost
“The main message of the book is that freedom is not free,” he emphasizes. “Without struggle, there is no freedom. We must unite the good people of the world against the bad.”
He stresses that defending human rights transcends politics and applies not only to Turkey but also to China, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and elsewhere.
“If someone challenges the message of this book, they are essentially defending dictators,” he says. “Freedom, democracy, human rights—these are not partisan issues.”
Who Is Enes Kanter?
Enes Kanter Freedom is an NBA player, human rights activist, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee who sacrificed his career, home, and family to speak out against human rights violations.
In 2022, five years after being stripped of his Turkish citizenship, he became a U.S. citizen and legally changed his surname to Freedom.
Born in Turkey with dreams of basketball glory, he arrived in the United States believing America was a bad country—only to discover tolerance, opportunity, and, above all, freedom.
After refusing to stay silent as Turkey slid into authoritarianism, Erdogan’s government declared him an enemy of the state. His father was arrested, his passport revoked, and he was left stateless.
Rather than retreat, Kanter intensified his activism—criticizing not only Turkey but also China’s treatment of Uyghurs and even confronting NBA figures like LeBron James over business ties to China.
In the Name of Freedom is both a personal memoir and a reminder that liberty is always under threat—and that defending it often comes at a steep personal cost.
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