Upon a successful return to the United States after being detained during his birthday at a Romanian airport on Saturday, Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter is now looking to become a U.S. citizen.
Kanter went on SiriusXM NBA Radio to talk about his future with the Thunder, the playoffs, and the airport incident, which has led him to consider a U.S. citizenship in order to prevent situations like Saturday's.
“I feel like this is my home now,” said Kanter about the United States. “This is where I play basketball and earn respect.”
Well!!
Hello
The most beautiful country in the world.
The United States Of America 🇺🇸 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FBPurW17AT— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) May 21, 2017
The 6-foot-11 forward/center was forced to wait at an airport in Romania until he was allowed to proceed on his way after a few hours' wait.
The Turkish international believes it had to do with his country's president; Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who he's been opposing since his election in 2014, going as far as comparing him to Adolf Hitler.




Kanter explained that he has nearly no relation to his home country anymore, given that he can't speak to his parents or friends, as they would be arrested for doing so.
His parents had also “disowned him” after his constant opposition to the Turkish regime and support for Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic leader and the face of the “Gulen Movement.”
The Thunder big man plans to pursue his American citizenship this summer before the start of the regular season.
“I'm going to look to speed up the process,” he said.