Quotes from Enes Kanter

Because I play in the NBA, I am lucky enough to have a public platform, so I've used every opportunity to make sure everyone knows about Erdogan's cruelty and disdain for human rights.

Basketball to me is more than a passion or a paycheck - it is the tool I use to try to have an impact in the world.

May 20, 2017, was one of the scariest days of my life. It was the day I realized I was being hunted by Erdogan.

When I look back at my basketball career, I want to say I tried to inspire as much as I could.

I want to stay with the Knicks. They have great fans, team, organization, people. I would love to stay here.

Professional athletes have an enormous opportunity to be a source of inspiration for the younger generation, lead by example, and prove to them that as long as you stand up for what you believe in, everything is possible.

It was just a normal family. We were playing basketball, we were playing soccer. It was home-cooked meals, just peaceful and happy times.

It's the Milwaukee Bucks. Unless they give you good, good money, then go, but you don't leave New York for Milwaukee.

Turkey was a peaceful county, Turkey was a lovely county.

My friends and family in Turkey could be arrested just for talking to me.

I mean, Turkey is my country. You know, it's my flag. That is where we're raised... My family is born there. So that's why, like, it's tough to see that... your country don't want you.

I am immensely blessed to be in America. This country has given me so much since I came here from Turkey as a teenager, and I feel obliged to give back to the community. I spent the summer crisscrossing the nation, holding 50 basketball camps for kids in 30 states.

Because the last time I saw my family was 2015. Sometimes I even forget what they look like, you know? It's so hard to communicate with them. Because Turkish police raided my house. They took electronics away, computers away. They wanted to see if I'm still in contact with my family or not. Any single text, they will all be in jail.

Constant pressure by Turkish consulates across the United States, as well as pervasive and continual harassment by the government in Turkey, has so far failed to stifle my dissent. As they increase the pressure, I raise my voice.

The Turkish government is very famous for hunting down those who oppose Erdogan... I just didn't really want to risk my life by going to Europe where Erdogan's long arms are everywhere.

When I say all of this stuff about Turkey, people don't understand. They think I don't like Turkey. I love Turkey. I love my people. I love Turkish food and everything. But my problem is with the government.

You still miss Turkish people, talking Turkish, you still miss your culture. That's why New York is the best place to be because everywhere you go there's Turkish people, your friends are here, you can go to eat Turkish food every day.

My father has been targeted for persecution by the Turkish government and its leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, because of his association with me.

My observance as a practicing Muslim in the NBA is somewhat uncommon. Since joining the league in 2011, my dedication to my faith has aroused the curiosity of teammates, coaches, trainers and fans.

I understand my mother and father and sister are in Turkey, but if I stop talking, who is going to speak for the thousands and thousands of innocent people in jail?

When I stepped in America outside of the plane, I said, 'I came home.'

My faith in Islam is not unlike my faith in the game of basketball: Both require immense determination, focus, passion and discipline.

Steven Adams was a very, very big fan of halal food.

The only time I have fun is when I'm on the court.