Enes Kanter ready to stay in UK for his sophomore season

The father of Kentucky freshman center Enes Kanter, who is awaiting a final ruling on his eligibility from the NCAA, said he will “guarantee” that if his son is asked to serve a one-year suspension over amateurism issues he will not enter the 2011 NBA Draft and will play college basketball next season.
Dr. Mehmet Kanter, by e-mail, told Sporting News his family “can’t stop hoping” Enes’ eligibility to play for the Wildcats will be approved by the NCAA.
“Enes would do anything to play and help UK, his teammates and fans,” Mehmet Kanter wrote. “In the last two years, one thing me and Enes never discussed was him being pro. He didn’t mention to me about NBA or draft and I guarantee you as a father – if that’s the NCAA's decision Enes will be a sophomore next year in UK.”

Enes Kanter is a 6-foot-11 center who played prep school basketball in California last season after spending several years in the Fenerbahce Ulker club system in Istanbul, including part of the 2008-09 season with its senior team in the Turkish Basketball League and Euroleague.
The Kanter family agreed to a finding by the NCAA that Enes had been paid about $30,000 by the club, which the Kanters have insisted was for educational expenses. About $10,000 of that money was never used and sits untouched in a bank account.
“I been saying from beginning of the review there has never been any monetary exchange between Enes and Fenerbahce,” Mehmet Kanter said. “Enes was 16 years old, never had any knowledge about any accounts and everything has been between me and Fenerbahce.”

“I know he decided to come to USA to be free in making his own decisions regarding his future, which was seeking an education and playing basketball,” Mehmet Kanter said. “So he still is having hard time understanding most of the things happening the last six months. But I think support from UK staff and fans and his teammates is making it easier on him.”