Enes Kanter's father rips the Fenerbahce Ulker

Perhaps the most notable ongoing soap opera of the off-season -- and, along with Josh Selby's eligibility at Kansas, the most influential -- has been the curious case of Enes Kanter.

Kanter, if you remember, came to the United States with a cloud of controversy surrounding him. Seemingly everyone in the basketball community had heard a story of how Kanter was a professional in Turkey, and how there was not a chance for him to get cleared by the NCAA as an amateur. And this was all before Pete Thamel spoke with the general manager of Fenerbahce Ulker, Kanter's Turkish club team, who said that he paid Kanter six figures during his time with the team.

Is this the only time Enes Kanter will wear a Kentucky jersey?
(photo credit: Wildcat World)

Mike DeCourcey spoke with Kanter's father over email about, among other things, trying to dispel the rumors:

In an exclusive e-mail exchange with Sporting News, Dr. Kanter said he believes Turkish basketball officials have opposed his son’s effort to become eligible to play at Kentucky "because they are trying to set an example with my son to coming generations in Turkey, so they can control and use the talent and youth any way they like to."

"Since 2007, I wanted Enes to go to the USA and continue his basketball and education there, so I try everything to keep my son amateur and keep meticulous records of all the expenses knowing someday I may be asked (to) fully cooperate with the NCAA."

Dr. Kanter said "never once" was a salary demanded from Fenerbahce or discussed. "I always try to protected Enes from anything might damage his future."

I strongly encourage you to read the entire article to get the full gist of the message. While reading it, keep in mind that this is a father going to bat for his son. Mehmet Kanter has just as much incentive to lie about his son's amateur status as the Fenerbahce does, so while his arguments are, on paper, persuasive, don't take them as the undying truth.

Kanter has been banned from participating in any and all team activities until the conclusion of the NCAA's investigation. When will that conclusion be reached? Who knows. The NCAA has a habit of drawing these things out.

One thing I am certain of is that the result will depend on how thorough the paper trail is. If there is a signed contract that the NCAA has in their possession, well, Kanter ain't playin'. But if there is no paper work, only hearsay and the typical 'he-said, he-said', then there's a shot that Kentucky can get Kanter into uniform.