Kerem Kanter

Kerem Kanter (born 29 April 1995) is a Turkish professional basketball who last played for Akita Northern Happinets of the Japanese B.League. He played college basketball for Wisconsin–Green Bay and the Xavier Musketeers. Kanter is the younger brother of NBA player Enes Freedom.

Kerem Kanter
Kanter during a game with Joventut Badalona
Free agent
PositionPower forward / center
Personal information
Born (1995-04-29) 29 April 1995
Bursa, Turkey
NationalityTurkish
Listed height2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
Listed weight109 kg (240 lb)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2018: undrafted
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018JL Bourg
2019BC Dzūkija
2019–2020Joventut Badalona
2020–2021Kolossos Rodou
2021–2022Śląsk Wrocław
2022–2023Akita Northern Happinets
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Turkey
European U-18 Championship
Gold medal – first place2013 LatviaTeam

Early life

Kanter played one season at IMG Academy and averaged 17 points and nine rebounds per game. Despite receiving major college attention, he took a long time to decide whether to go to college or play in a professional league. When he finally opted for college, most rosters were filled and Wisconsin–Green Bay was one of the only schools that could take him.[1]

College career

As a freshman at Green Bay, Kanter played alongside Keifer Sykes. Kanter averaged 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds off the bench as a sophomore. He helped the Phoenix to their first NCAA Tournament berth in 20 years, earning a 14 seed.[1] As a junior, he posted 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. After the season, he declared for the NBA draft, but opted out before the deadline. Kanter decided to transfer to Xavier University under the NCAA's graduate transfer rule.[2] In his graduate year, Kanter averaged 10.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He helped the Musketeers to a 29–6 season, its first Big East regular-season title and a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.[3] Kanter scored 24 points and grabbed five rebounds in the first round win versus Texas Southern.[4]

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Kanter signed with JL Bourg Basket of the French league on 6 August 2018.[5] He averaged 7.2 points per game. On 22 January 2019, Kanter signed with BC Dzūkija.[6]

In July 2019, Kanter signed with Club Joventut Badalona.[7] In November, he refused to travel to Turkey to play against Darussafaka due to fears of being arrested.[8] Kanter averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He was released from the team on 6 July 2020.[9]

On 4 September 2020, Kanter officially signed with Kolossos Rodou of the Greek Basket League.[10]

On 24 August 2021, he has signed with Śląsk Wrocław of the PLK.[11]

On June 11, 2022, he has signed with Akita Northern Happinets of the Japanese B.League.[12]

National team career

Kanter competed on the Turkish U-18 national team in 2013, helping lead the team to a gold medal at the FIBA Europe U-18 Championship in Latvia.[1]

References
  1. Kersey, Jason (16 March 2016). "NCAA Tournament: Green Bay's Kerem Kanter excited to play on older brother's home floor". NewsOK. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  2. Brennan, Patrick (22 May 2017). "Kanter pulling out of NBA Draft, will play at Xavier". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  3. Russell, Shannon (14 May 2018). "What's next for former Xavier forward Kerem Kanter?". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  4. Albanese, Laura (17 March 2018). "NCAA Tournament: Xavier's Kerem Kanter, younger brother of Knicks' Enes, enjoying team's spotlight in Big Dance". NewsDay. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  5. "Kerem Kanter signs one-year deal with JL Bourg". EuroHoops.net. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  6. "Enes Kanter's brother Kerem Kanter signs with Dzukija". Sportando. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  7. "El Club Joventut Badalona es reforça amb el polivalent Kerem Kanter". Club Joventut Badalona. 22 July 2019.
  8. "Badalona's Kerem Kanter won't travel to Turkey, will miss EuroCup game vs. Darussafaka". Sportando. 17 November 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  9. "Lo Joventut Badalona ha annunciato le uscite di Omic, Kanter e Stevic". Sportando (in Italian). 6 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  10. "Kolossos signs Kerem Kanter". Sportando. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  11. "Śląsk Wrocław announces deal with Kerem Kanter". Sportando. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  12. "Kerem Kanter signs in Japan for next season". Eurohoops. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
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