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Switzerland Enes Kanter Freedom is a former NBA player and human rights activist known for his outspoken criticism of human rights abuses.
Enes Kanter Freedom wore Nike apparel during his NBA career and publicly challenged Nike to address labor practices in China. He later announced a new line of 'Freedom Shoes' which is set for release in Christmas 2024. Despite his criticisms, he continued to wear Nike gear and his jersey displayed the Nike logo.
Kanter Freedom had endorsement deals with major brands, including Spalding, contributing to his net worth.
Enes Kanter Freedom was born Enes Kanter on May 20, 1992, in Zürich, Switzerland, to Turkish parents. He was raised in Turkey and moved to the United States as a teenager to pursue his basketball career. Before his move, he played for Fenerbahçe’s youth squad from 2006 to 2008 and briefly for their senior team during the 2008–09 season. He declined professional contracts from Fenerbahçe and Olympiacos to play high school and college basketball in the U.S. He attended Stoneridge Preparatory School in Simi Valley, California. He committed to play for the Kentucky Wildcats but was declared permanently ineligible by the NCAA due to receiving approximately $33,000 in excess benefits from Fenerbahçe.
Kanter was selected as the third overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz, beginning a professional career that spanned 11 seasons. He played for several NBA teams including the Utah Jazz (2011–2015), Oklahoma City Thunder (2015–2017), New York Knicks (2017–2019), Portland Trail Blazers (2019, 2020–2021), and Boston Celtics (2019–2020, 2021–2022). Throughout his career, he achieved several notable milestones, including a 23-point, 22-rebound game with the Jazz in 2013 and a career-high 33 points and 20 rebounds with the Thunder in 2016. He also holds the Portland Trail Blazers franchise record for 30 rebounds in a single game, set in 2021. He officially changed his name to Enes Kanter Freedom upon becoming a U.S. citizen on November 29, 2021.
Beyond his basketball achievements, Freedom became a prominent human rights activist, particularly known for his “freedom shoes” and vocal criticism of human rights abuses in China, especially regarding the Uyghurs, and in Turkey. His activism led to significant personal challenges, including his passport being revoked by the Turkish government and an international arrest warrant issued against him. He has received numerous human rights awards for his advocacy, such as the Courage Award, Václav Havel International Prize, and the Lantos Human Rights Prize, demonstrating a commitment to global human rights. During Christmas 2024, Enes is set to launch a new line of “Freedom Shoes” in collaboration with Nike. Freedom aims to create basketball schools worldwide, bringing together individuals of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faiths. He has shown interest in professional wrestling, briefly holding the WWE 24/7 Championship in 2019.
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