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'Free Tibet,' Enes Kanter says in message to China
Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter sent a pro-Tibet message in a Facebook video on Oct. 20 and during a game against the New York Knicks, he wore "Free Tibet" on his sneakers. (Credit: Enes Kanter via Storyful)
BOSTON (AP) - Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter is changing his name to "Enes Kanter Freedom" to celebrate becoming a United States citizen.
Kanter's manager, Hank Fetic, told The Associated Press that Kanter is will have his citizenship oath ceremony on Monday afternoon and at the same time will complete his legal name change.
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The news was first reported by the Athletic.
Enes Kanter, No. 13 of the Boston Celtics, looks on before during the Celtics home opener against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on Oct. 22, 2021, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Kanter, 29, is a native of Turkey who has been an outspoken critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish government. Kanter has said his passport was revoked by his homeland in 2017.
The 2011 first-round draft pick has also taken to social media to support Tibetan independence and criticize Chinese treatment of the Uyghur people. During games, he has worn shoes decorated to say "Free Tibet" and argue for a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
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