Utah Jazz’s Turkish prodigy Enes Kanter frustrated at lack of action – NBA Lockout Update
Enes Kanter revealed in an interview that he was frustrated at not being able to play competitive basketball for so long. The player is part of Turkey’s preparations for the upcoming European Basketball Championship and said he
was looking forward to finally getting some time out on the court.
Kanter, a 19 year old power forward/ centre from Turkey came to the United States last year. The 6-foot-11 player was regarded as a prodigy in his home country and looked set to make a big impact in the United States college basketball
circuit. Although he enrolled at an American University, the NCAA ruled him in-eligible to play because he had already performed professionally back in Europe.
Kanter thus spent the whole year on the sidelines, training with the university team and playing the odd amateur game here and there. The player said in an interview that the lockout was further hurting his chances to get some
game time.
"It's easy for me to say that I am the unluckiest guy ever. I couldn't play in college, and right now there is the lockout. The only thing I can do is just wait," said Kanter.
The NBA has locked out its players since July 1 due to the labour dispute. The old CBA has expired and the players and owners cannot agree on a new one. If a deal is not reached in time the whole of NBA season 2011-2012 could be
lost, even though the league issued fixture lists last week.
It’s all the more disappointing for Kanter who is fed up with not being able to play,
“I haven’t played in almost two years and it’s hard within that time to go from not playing to being ready for games,”? Kanter added
Enes Kanter has obvious talent. The Turkish centre has very good hands for a big guy, a soft touch and is a very formidable scoring threat in the post area. Like most European big men, he also had a good jumper which allows him
to diversify his game.
The player has missed out on team basketball for quite a while and those who have seen him play believe he will have to work to get up to the expected level in terms of team play in the NBA. He trained with renowned basketball
coach Tim Grover before the NBA draft and impressed NBA franchises a lot.
Therefore Kanter was picked up as 3rd overall in this year’s NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. The Jazz will be hoping Kanter can have a good EuroBasket with Turkey and come to the United States ready for action.
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