Kanter knows it’s about more than basketball

Enes Kanter knows all about standing up for human rights and social justice.

The Celtics center has had a public battle with the president of his native Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for several years, leading to his passport being taken away and problems for his family back home.

So it was no surprise that on May 31, there was Kanter, wearing his Celtics’ No. 11 jersey, holding a microphone as he stood at a Black Lives Matter protest outside of the State House in [...]

Enes Kanter knows all about standing up for human rights and social justice.

The Celtics center has had a public battle with the president of his native Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for several years, leading to his passport being taken away and problems for his family back home.

So it was no surprise that on May 31, there was Kanter, wearing his Celtics’ No. 11 jersey, holding a microphone as he stood at a Black Lives Matter protest outside of the State House in Boston following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.

With the NBA sending 22 teams to Disney World in Florida to resume the 2019-20 season, Kanter sees it as a perfect opportunity for the league to make its feelings known about social justice.

"The whole world will be watching you,’’ said Kanter during a video conference with the media this week. "All the microphones will be in your face. So I feel like you can use the platform to talk about justice, talk about freedom, talk about democracy.

"There’s so many young kids out there that idolize us. We can make a huge difference. First of all, what the NBA is doing about all the social justice issues is just amazing. We have so many great leaders stepping up and doing what they’re supposed to do and bringing light to what’s happening.’’

The 28-year-old Kanter, in his first season with the Celtics after playing in Utah, Oklahoma City, New York and Portland, is likely going to have the word "freedom’’ on the back of his jersey when the games get going again.

Kanter has written that same word on his sneakers during his career.

"I’ve stood for freedom throughout my whole NBA career,’’ said Kanter. "If I have a chance to put something on the back of my jersey, it will be freedom. I’m not just talking about issues in my country or issues in America. I’m talking about the whole world.

"The problems are not just happening in America or Turkey. Problems are happening all over the world. Freedom represents the people who are fighting for their rights and their freedom, not just Turkey or America.

"Orlando’s going to be an amazing platform to talk about whatever you want to talk about, talk about what’s really more important. With the messages on the back of the jersey and Black Lives Matter (written) on the court (by the NBA), I think it’s going to inspire so many people and that’s what we need to inspire the young generation so we don’t have these issues again. I’m very excited about it.’’

Kanter has been impressed with the leadership displayed by his 23-year-old teammate, Jaylen Brown, during the protests after the killing of Floyd.

Brown drove 15 hours from Boston to his native Georgia to take part in a march on May 30 and has been delivering messages.

"I think what Jaylen was doing was pure leadership,’’ said Kanter. "I learned a lot from him. I think we are all lucky to have him on our side.

"All that stuff I’m going through, before the games, after practices, in the training room, we always have the conversation how can we use our platform to change.

"When he’s done with basketball, when he’s done with his career, he’s not just going to be known as a basketball player. What he’s doing off the court is way bigger than on the court. I’m very proud of him.

"I know what it’s like to fight for justice and freedom. I told him, ‘You’ve got all my support. If you need anything, please let me know.’ He’s a good leader. He was one of the biggest voices in the past month with what’s going on.’’

Kanter said that during his first season with the Celtics, which was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic in March, he would often discuss issues with Brown.

"We always talk about how can we help each other,’’ said Kanter. "What’s going on right now in America, it’s not black against white. It’s everybody against racism. We are all in this together.

"We are always sitting down and having that conversation and seeing if we can do more. There’s always things we can always push ourselves, educate ourselves more.’’

Kanter and the Celtics began mandatory individual workouts at the Auerbach Center on Wednesday and the team is scheduled to leave for central Florida on Wednesday.

Following a couple of weeks of practices, they play the first of eight regular-season games on July 31 against the Milwaukee Bucks.

jfenton@enterprisenews.com

On Twitter at @JFenton_ent