Enes Kanter

My friends and family in Turkey could be arrested just for talking to me. ”

It was just a normal family. We were playing basketball, we were playing soccer. It was home-cooked meals, just peaceful and happy times. ”

I mean, Turkey is my country. You know, it's my flag. That is where we're raised... My family is born there. So that's why, like, it's tough to see that... your country don't want you. ”

Before I go to those teams, I say, ‘Hey, I’m a Muslim and I have to pray five times a day.' And they respect it so much that they give me a prayer room. So before the game, after the game, before practice, before I fly out, I can go to that room whenever I want and pray." ”

I’m not a criminal or a radical. I’m not 'dangerous.' I’m a human being with opinions and beliefs that I have a right to express. ”

The only time I have fun is when I’m on the court. ”

Because the last time I saw my family was 2015. Sometimes I even forget what they look like, you know? It’s so hard to communicate with them. Because Turkish police raided my house. They took electronics away, computers away. They wanted to see if I’m still in contact with my family or not. Any single text, they will all be in jail." ”

Over the years, I’ve become accustomed to the quiet of that morning meal, a time when I devote myself completely to my faith." ”

I'm definitely happy that I'm part of the Oklahoma City team, a winner team, so I think it's going to go really well in the future. ”