Free Enes

By now, you should already know that Enes Kanter's NCAA eligibility is under review.  What's the hold up?  The New York times claims to have proof that Enes was paid 6500 dollars per month while playing with the Turkish national team.  If this is true, Enes will not be on the Rupp Arena floor. But are the allegations true? Let's take a look at the facts as we know them now.

FACT 1. Enes Kanter and his family still hold that he never received more than room and board for playing with the Turkish national team.

FACT 2. Enes allegedly recieved the money in question while he was under the age of 17. Turkish law and international basketball rules prohibit a player  under 18 to sign a contract or receive a salary for playing basketball. If the allegations are true both Kanter and the Turkish team he played for broke the Turkish basketball rules as well.

Fact. 3. The New York Times allegedly received the information about the funds from the owner of the Turkish basketball team Kanter played for. The owner has not hidden the fact that he does not want Enes to play college basketball.  If Enes declares ineligible, then Enes would have to return and play a year with that team, or another international team.  If he decides to play for another international team, the Turkish owner would receive funds by way of some odd international rule.

Fact 4.  We are the Kentucky Wildcats and are coached by John Calapari.  Two of the most successful pieces in college basketball, and most hated outside the bluegrass, all wrapped together in a bow.  Everyone wants Kentucky to lose, and everyone wants Calapari to be proved to be a criminal.  That's just how it is.  With success some intense scrutiny.  Intense scrutiny means bounds and bounds of rumors against the Big Blue nation.