You Can Call Him Freedom: Anti-China Voice Enes Kanter Changes Name

Enes Kanter has been a voice of freedom, speaking out against the massive human rights violations in China when so many others remain silent for business reasons.

To further prove that he's serious, the Boston Celtics center has decided to change his last name to "Freedom." More specifically, his name will now be Enes Freedom. "Kanter" will now be his middle name, as relayed by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Kanter has been the lone voice in the NBA who is speaking out against the atrocities in China. The NBA, as a whole, has remained silent despite being a loud proponent for social justice and human rights here in America. In fact, many of the things the NBA says it stands for are looked down on by the Chinese government.

But given how much money the NBA makes off its relationship with China ... well, the league has determined it is best to just look the other way. It still holds preseason games and sponsors basketball camps there, and frankly, makes more money off its relationship with China than any pro sports league in history.

Kanter doesn't care about any of that. And China being China, all Celtics games have been pulled from its airwaves.

"In addition to criticizing the NBA and president Joe Biden for not standing up to China, Kanter has also called out many of his peers," wrote Steve DelVecchio of Larry Brown Sports. "He even wore shoes ripping LeBron James for his relationship with China and partnership with Nike."

Kanter is employed by the NBA, but even can see the hypocrisy of what's happening here. Clearly, he is willing to go as far as changing his name to prove his point. And now, the NBA will constantly have to be reminded that "Freedom" is what he stands for, regardless of who is helping to pay the bills.

Written by
Sam Amico spent 15 years covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated, FOX Sports and NBA.com, along with a few other spots, and currently runs his own basketball website on the side, FortyEightMinutes.com.