Kentucky Basketball: Mark Emmert And The NCAA Shafted Enes Kanter and UK
Enes Kanter is a 6'11" power forward/center from Turkey who was born in Switzerland. He will turn 19 years old this May.
As most people who follow college basketball know by now, Kanter will never play college hoops.
The Turkish big man received over $33,000 from his club team during the 2008-09 season. Kanter turned down millions more from European pro teams so that he could play college ball here in the States.
On January 7, 2011, Kanter was ruled ineligible to play.
Don't weep for Kanter, though. He will likely be a lottery pick in the upcoming draft (if there is not a lockout, of course).
Here is all you need to know about the Kanter situation.
1. Kanter Is a Beast
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Kanter is, by all accounts, a beast.
On April 11, at the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit, Kanter, playing for the international team, put up 34 points and 13 rebounds.
Terrence Jones had a good game with 15 points, fourĀ rebounds,and three blocks. Brandon Knight did OK with five points and four assists.
Kanter's big game broke the record set by some guy named Dirk Nowitzki.
Rivals.com, Scout.com, and pretty much anyone else you ask rate Kanter as a five-star prospect. Kanter will be one of the first five players chosen in the draft.
2. Kanter Originally Committed to Washington
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After spending time at prep schools (Findlay Prep, Beckley Mountain State, and Stoneridge Prep) in the United States, Kanter chose his college team.
On November 23, 2009, Kanter verbally committed to play for the University of Washington Huskies.
Kanter chose Washington over UCLA, USC, Indiana and UNLV. None of these schools were overly concerned about Kanter's NCAA eligibility.
The president of the University of Washington at that time was Mark Emmert.
Washington is Emmert's alma mater.
3. Kanter Switched to Kentucky
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In February 2010, Kanter re-opened his recruitment.
Washington coach Lorenzo Romar was disappointed about losing Kanter and Terrance Jones to Kentucky but didn't mention anything about eligiblity issues.
On April 14, 2010, Kanter signed a National Letter of Intent to play for coach John Calipari at the University of Kentucky.
On January 7, 2011, Kanter was ruled ineligible to play.
4. Emmert Says Everyone Had Concerns About Kanter...Really?
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In an intervieiw with Sports Illustrated, Emmert said this:
āThe vast majority of people in collegiate basketball knew that this was an issue with Enes Kanter,ā Emmert told SI.com. āKentucky knew it. Everybody who talked with him knew it. So I'm amazed that people are shocked by the fact that he is ineligible.ā
Were there concerns when Emmert was President of the University of Washington?
5. Dick Vitale Speaks Out
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Dick Vitale tweeted this:
"Last thought on Kanter - NCAA rules it is okay 4 Newton to play- did not know Dad was trying to get cash - Enes was 16 - let fam repay 33K!"
He also tweeted this:
"Asked a very simple? Seth if Kanter went to Wash. I believe he would NOT be inligible 4 4 years -have super 2011!"
6. What About Cam Newton?
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The NCAA will say that Kanter is a professional basketball player.
He accepted a salary from a professional team in Turkey. If they let him play, other teams will recruit European pros too.
However, Cam Newton from Auburn is a similar case.
Newton, like Kanter, did not accept money himself. Their fathers were involved in all the financial transactions. Kanter was not even 18 and could not legally accept money.
Cam Newton skated.
Terrelle Pryror and his Ohio State Buckeye teammates sold their OSU gear but only have to sit out five games which is a slap on the wrist in comparison.
Something is fishy.
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