Enes Kanter Freedom has been nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize due to his humanitarian work, and on the back of his criticism of China and the NBA.
According to The Atlantic, a Norwegian member of parliament put Freedom up for nomination and 30 Nobel laureates have addressed his former team, the Boston Celtics, urging the organization to have his back and stand with him “on the right side of history.” The Celtics traded the center to the Houston Rockets earlier this month and he has since been waived, while it’s rumored his days in the NBA are now behind him.
“I’m honored and humbled to receive the nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize,” the 29-year-old wrote in a tweet. “Sometimes taking a stand is more important than your next paycheck.”
Kanter has played 11 seasons in the NBA, suiting up for the Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers and the Celtics (twice). He has posted career averages of 11.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists a game over the span of 748 regular-season games.
While his chances of actually winning the Nobel Peace Prize are slim, the nomination might give his cause a louder voice.
