Net Worth Ranker
What Is Enes Kanter Freedom’s Net Worth?
Enes Kanter Freedom, a former professional basketball player, has accumulated a net worth of $40 million. This figure primarily stems from his NBA career, where he played from 2011 to 2022.
Career Earnings and Contracts
During his NBA career, Enes Kanter Freedom earned $104 million in salary alone. This impressive sum was accumulated over his time playing for five different NBA teams. In February 2015, Kanter was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. At the end of that season, Kanter became a restricted free agent and received an offer from the Portland Trail Blazers. The Thunder exercised their right of first refusal and matched the offer, keeping Kanter in Oklahoma City. In 2017, Kanter was traded to the New York Knicks. After being waived by the Knicks, Kanter signed with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2019. In the summer of 2019, Kanter signed with the Boston Celtics. Kanter returned to the Blazers for the 2020-21 season. In the summer of 2021, Kanter returned to the Celtics on a one-year contract before being traded to the Houston Rockets in February of the next year and subsequently waived. The specific terms and financial details of each contract he signed with the Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Boston Celtics are not fully available in the provided information.
Early Life and Education
Enes Kanter Freedom was born on May 20, 1992, in Zürich, Switzerland, to Turkish parents Gülsüm and Mehmet Kanter. Details about his family’s financial background during his early life are not provided in the source material. He attended Hizmet schools in Turkey and played basketball for Fenerbahçe’s youth squad from 2006 to 2008. Kanter’s decision to decline professional contracts from Fenerbahçe and Olympiacos in favor of pursuing basketball in the United States reveals his early ambition and focus on playing in the NBA. In the US, he attended Findlay Prep in Nevada, and then Mountain State Academy in West Virginia. Subsequently, Kanter attended Stoneridge Preparatory School in California. His brief commitment to the University of Washington and subsequent signing with Kentucky highlight his path toward college basketball, but he was ultimately ruled ineligible by the NCAA. His ineligibility was due to excess benefits received from Fenerbahçe. While specific financial figures related to these benefits are not disclosed, they were significant enough to impact his collegiate eligibility.
NBA Career and Performance
Kanter’s NBA career began when he was selected by the Utah Jazz as the third overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. His rookie season saw him average 4.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game across all 66 regular-season games. In the 2012-13 season, his averages improved to 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. By the 2013-14 season, he had further improved his performance, averaging 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. In February 2015, Kanter was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. During the 2015-16 season, he scored a career-high 33 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. His tenure with the New York Knicks saw him achieve a career-high 32 double-doubles in his first season. Additionally, he recorded a career-high 26 rebounds in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. For the 2019-20 season with the Boston Celtics, Kanter averaged 8.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Returning to the Portland Trail Blazers for the 2020-21 season, he achieved a career-high and franchise record of 30 rebounds in a game against the Detroit Pistons. The source provides details on his on-court performance but does not offer specifics on performance-based bonuses or incentives that may have affected his earnings during these seasons. However, it is known that his performance directly influenced his market value and subsequent contract negotiations.
Political Activism and its Impact
Enes Kanter Freedom’s outspoken political activism, particularly his criticism of the Turkish government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has had significant repercussions. His Turkish citizenship was revoked in 2017. In early 2019, Turkey sought his extradition and requested Interpol to issue a red notice for his arrest. The specific financial implications of these actions, such as the loss of potential endorsements or business opportunities in Turkey, are not detailed in the provided text. Kanter’s activism included denouncing Chinese leader Xi Jinping, leading a rally in Washington, DC, to promote the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, and advocating for a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. These actions have positioned him as a prominent voice on human rights issues, but the financial effects, whether positive or negative, are not specified in the provided data. Despite the personal and political challenges, Kanter continued to earn a substantial salary in the NBA, contributing to his overall net worth. The documentary “Enemy of the State” likely increased his public profile, but it’s difficult to quantify its direct financial impact. Any additional income derived from such appearances or endorsements related to his activism is not specified.
Personal Life
Enes Kanter Freedom’s personal relationships, including his past relationship with professional wrestler Dana Brooke (2018 to 2019), and heiress Ariana Rockefeller, have been public. However, specific financial arrangements or transfers of assets related to these relationships are not provided. In late 2021, Kanter became an American citizen and legally changed his surname to Freedom, demonstrating his commitment to his new country. The source material does not provide details on his spending habits, lifestyle choices, or any charitable contributions he may have made, which could offer a more complete picture of his financial activities.
