Enes Kanter’s coach at Stoneridge (Calif.) Prep confirmed a report by Scout.com that the 6-9 Turkish big man had made a verbal commitment to Kentucky.
“He did it,” Tank Thornton wrote in a text.
Kanter added on his Facebook status according to BoxofMess.com: “(UK) THE BIG BLUE !!!
The news was first reported by Scout.com.
Kanter initially committed to Washington but then changed his mind last month.
Kanter is now at his third high school this year. Findlay (Nev.) Prep and Beckley (West Va.) Mountain State – and a slew of colleges — have been scared off by his professional background, which has sparked the interest of the NCAA.
Kanter grew up playing for Turkish club Fenerbahçe Ülker’s youth teams. Last fall he made his pro debut in the Turkish Basketball League and later played in the Euroleague
“Fenerbahçe, they stuck him in like eight or nine games just to screw with his eligibility because they’re ruthless,” an industry source said. “European clubs don’t want their kids coming to America.”
Multiple sources said Kanter didn’t take any money for his appearances. The NCAA currently prohibit players with professional backgrounds from competing on an amateur level in the U.S, but that could change if proposed legislation passes in August.
“At the end of the day, he didn’t do anything wrong,” Mountain State coach Rodney Crawford said. “He himself didn’t break any rules or break any laws. Now the NCAA, that’s up to them to decide.
“The issue was him playing professionally, which is true, but is not true.”
Kanter may end up having to sit several games in college, similar to what happened to John Wall of Kentucky and John Riek of Mississippi State.
Kanter, 17, was named Most Valuable Player of the 2009 U18 European Championship in Metz, France.
He averaged 18.6 points and a tournament-best 16.4 rebounds in leading his team to a bronze medal.
Kanter went for 32 points and 25 rebounds in a semifinal loss to Serbia before bouncing back and going for 35 points and 19 rebounds in a 95-74 win over Lithuania in the bronze medal game.
“He’s a very advanced young big man for his age,” ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla told me in November. “He’s got a nice combination of size, physicality and skill level. While he is an inside player first, he has the ability to play away from the basket and beat bigs off the dribble.”
(Photo courtesy DraftExpress.com)
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CMD77 / March 23, 2010
I’m not sure this is accurate any longer: “Multiple sources said Kanter didn’t take any money for his appearances, but the NCAA prohibits players with professional backgrounds from competing on an amateur level in the U.S.”
The NCAA passed a new bylaw this year regarding this issue. Here’s an article discussing it:
http://www.omaha.com/article/20090723/SPORTS/707239785
I’m 99% sure this new bylaw was approved.
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razor ramone / March 23, 2010
My take is that he may face something similar to WVU’s Deniz Kilicli. He had to sit out 10 games.
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JonHuskyMS / March 23, 2010
Does this make any UK fans nervous?
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BostonCat / March 23, 2010
No.
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razor ramone / March 23, 2010
Neither does this. Florida no longer in the hunt for Knight !!!!!
http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/956409.html
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BostonCat / March 23, 2010
if true….this move would be basically Billy trying to cover his ass. Knight probably told UF he wasn’t coming. so Billy doesn’t look as bad backing off Knight and going after someone else. Now he has some time to get in on another player rather then waiting another 2 or 3 weeks.
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CMD77 / March 23, 2010
Didn’t Kilicli have to sit out 20 games for WVU? Also, the difference between his situation and Kanter’s is the new NCAA rule. The rule was NOT in effect last year when Kilicli enrolled. As long as Kanter can prove he never received money to play, which his advisors say he can do, he should be ruled immediately eligible. However, if he can’t prove it or if proof comes out that he was paid, he’ll probably never play a minute of college ball.
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Wheatgerm / March 23, 2010
As long as the NCAA Clearinghouse says Kanter is eligible and clears him to play, Calipari and Kentucky could play him all season long with no worries, right?
Right?
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BostonCat / March 23, 2010
the clearinghouse needs to clear every single player.
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BlueCat32 / March 24, 2010
Big Blue Nation welcomes our newest commit Enes Kanter…..
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bigpapijugg / March 24, 2010
we have what NO OTHER PROGRAM HAS!
The University of Kentucky has a HUGE ENES!!
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Wheatgerm / March 24, 2010
Just like it cleared Derrick Rose to play at Memphis?
That was my point. What is Calipari to do if the Clearinghouse clears Kanter to play? Play him and risk vacating an entire season when the NCAA Committee on Infractions finds, after the season is over, that Kanter was actually ineligible ab initio? That’s the mess this Memphis case has left behind. Coaches can no longer rely on the NCAA’s Clearinghouse.
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Wheatgerm / March 24, 2010
The rule passed in January.
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bigskycat / March 24, 2010
Hey all, this might be a silly question, but considering that this blog is a good source for actual real info, I thought this was as good a place as any to ask it:
Does anybody know the correct pronunciation of Enes Kanter’s name? I’m a UK fan and have looked everywhere, but to no avail.
His name really does lend itself to be the brunt of so many jokes, it might help to know the actual pronunciation before everybody goes crazy, you know?
Thanks in advance! : )
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blasphemy / March 24, 2010
It is in fact E-nis as of kentuckysportsradio’s Dustin Rumbaugh. Btw, I like your articles over at ASoB.
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bigpapijugg / March 25, 2010
it is NOT E-nis. that is a hilbilly name and the kid is from turkey. we as UK fans have had laughs about that but is pronounced in-ez (soft e not a hard e)
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