enes-kanter1 The Draft Review - The Draft Review utah2010 The Draft Review - The Draft Review

Background: Enes Kanter - Kanter is widely considered one of the most dominant international players to ever come to the US to play collegiate basketball. International players of his caliber typically play professionally in their respected countries until they declare for the NBA draft. While in Europe, Kanter quickly cemented himself the best international post player with his exceptional play on Turkey’s Under -18 national teams.

At Fenerbahce Ulker, Turkey’s top professional league, Kanter played in only a handful of games, averaging 2.7 points 4.2 rebounds. But these numbers hardly illustrated the 17-year-old’s true value on the court. Kanter averaged 18.6 points, 16.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while leading the Turkey U-18 national team to a third place showing at the 2009 European U18 Championship. The interest in Kanter was substantial, but didn’t reach huge proportions until this performance.

He shrugged off various pro offers in Europe because of his desire to play in American high school and college basketball, yet despite his celebrity, Kanter experienced difficulties in his search to find a home in America. Prep schools Findlay Prep and Mountain State both abandoned their hopes for Kanter after rumors of a questionable amateur status. Rivals schools were said to refuse play if Kanter was on the team, yet Stoneridge Prep in California took Kanter, who quickly committed to Washington University despite it being so early in his recruitment.

Perhaps this early announcement of his college choice was why he quickly reopened his recruitment, many point fingers at Kentucky creeping in to attempt to secure Kanter. At the end of his senior season at Stonebridge Prep (one of the best prep schools in the country), he averaged around 35 points and 20 rebounds per game.

In March, Kanter citied that Kentucky head coach John Calipari’s ability to put players in the NBA was the primary reason for his commitment to the program. The Kentucky fan base was even more excited as Kanter dominated the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit, putting up 34 points and 13 rebounds in the prestigious all-star game.

But the excitement quickly dissipated as the General Manager of Fenerbahce Ulker Nedim Karakas provided the NCAA with banking and housing records showing all the benefits paid to Kanter, such as food, pocket money and a salary during his last three months on the team. These allegations are said to total more than $100,000 in cash and benefits over three years. Many have claimed that this is nothing more than a former team trying to get back at a player. In the meantime, the NCAA in the meantime is investigating Kanter’s amateur status.

 

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Statistics

SEASONS

GP

FG%

3PT%

FT%

SPG

BPG

RPG

APG

PPG

2008-09 Fenerbahce Ulker

9

47.8

---

50.0

0.2

---

4.2

0.1

2.7

2009-10 Findlay Prep

Did Not Play Left School

2009-10 Mountain State

Did Not Play Ineligible

2009-10 Stoneridge Prep

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

20.0

N/A

35.0

2010-11 Kentucky

Did Not Play NCAA Ruled Ineligible

DIV I Totals

Did Not Play NCAA Ruled Ineligible

 

 

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