Skip to content

Kanter still allowed to play in Mexico City after Turkey canceled passport

Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Oklahoma City Thunder fans won't have to worry about Enes Kanter missing the team's Dec. 7 contest in Mexico City anymore.

The 6-foot-11 big man revealed the Thunder have found a solution that will allow him to play in Mexico against the Brooklyn Nets despite the fact his passport was canceled by Turkey in May, according to The Oklahoman's Brett Dawson.

Without a valid passport, Kanter was previously only permitted to travel to Canada, according to Fred Katz of the Norman Transcript, allowing him to play against the Raptors in Toronto on March 18.

Kanter was briefly detained at an airport in Bucharest, Romania earlier this year after his passport was revoked by the Turkish embassy. The 25-year-old believed Turkey canceled his passport because of the negative comments he made about President Tayyip Erdogan, whom he referred to as the "Hitler of our century."

Kanter averaged 14.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists on 54.5 percent shooting last season.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox