Kerem Kanter Explained

Kerem Kanter
Position:Power forward / center
Height:2.08 m
Weight:109 kg
League:LNB Pro A
Team:ADA Blois Basket 41
Number:11
Birth Date:29 April 1995
Birth Place:Bursa, Turkey
Nationality:Turkish
High School:
College:
Draft Year:2018
Career Start:2018
Years1:2018
Team1:JL Bourg
Years2:2019
Team2:BC Dzūkija
Years3:2019–2020
Team3:Joventut Badalona
Years4:2020–2021
Team4:Kolossos Rodou
Years5:2021–2022
Team5:Śląsk Wrocław
Years6:2022–2023
Team6:Akita Northern Happinets
Years7:2024
Team7:ADA Blois Basket 41
Highlights:

Kerem Kanter (born 29 April 1995) is a Turkish professional basketball who plays for ADA Blois Basket 41 of the LNB Pro A. He played college basketball for Wisconsin–Green Bay and the Xavier Musketeers. Kanter is the younger brother of NBA player Enes Freedom.

Early life

Kanter played one season at IMG Academy and averaged 15points and 9 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. As a junior, he posted 15.3 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.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NCAA Tournament: Green Bay's Kerem Kanter excited to play on older brother's home floor. Kersey. Jason. 16 March 2016. NewsOK. 26 May 2017.
  2. News: Kanter pulling out of NBA Draft, will play at Xavier . Patrick . Brennan . . 22 May 2017 . 4 August 2017.
  3. News: Russell . Shannon . What's next for former Xavier forward Kerem Kanter? . 4 June 2018 . The Athletic . 14 May 2018 . 29 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210829161428/https://theathletic.com/354117/2018/05/14/whats-next-for-former-xavier-forward-kerem-kanter/ . dead .
  4. News: Albanese . Laura . NCAA Tournament: Xavier's Kerem Kanter, younger brother of Knicks' Enes, enjoying team's spotlight in Big Dance . 4 June 2018 . NewsDay . 17 March 2018.
  5. Web site: Kerem Kanter signs one-year deal with JL Bourg . EuroHoops.net . 6 August 2018 . 6 August 2018.
  6. News: Enes Kanter's brother Kerem Kanter signs with Dzukija . Sportando . 6 July 2020 . 22 January 2019.
  7. Web site: El Club Joventut Badalona es reforça amb el polivalent Kerem Kanter. Club Joventut Badalona. 22 July 2019.
  8. News: Badalona's Kerem Kanter won't travel to Turkey, will miss EuroCup game vs. Darussafaka . Sportando . 6 July 2020 . 17 November 2019.
  9. News: Lo Joventut Badalona ha annunciato le uscite di Omic, Kanter e Stevic . Sportando . 6 July 2020 . Italian . 6 July 2020.
  10. News: Kolossos signs Kerem Kanter . Sportando . 4 September 2020 . 4 September 2020.
  11. News: Śląsk Wrocław announces deal with Kerem Kanter. 24 August 2021. Sportando. En. 23 August 2021.
  12. Web site: Kerem Kanter signs in Japan for next season. June 11, 2022. Eurohoops. En. June 13, 2022.