In the Name of Freedom: A Political Dissident's Fight for Human Rights in the NBA and Around the World

by Enes Kanter Freedom

A Gallery Book. Gallery Books has a great book for every reader.

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Tie Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring reminder of what it means to fight for your principles even when it costs you everything 🙏.

[Saadat Kadyrova · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is such a warm book to read. It feels like author is sitting in front of you and telling his story. He shows how it is important to be and stay as a kind human.

[Blayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

OKC loves ya Enes!

[Beyza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncensored and brave. I might have criticized Kanter in the past but the things he sacrificed in the name of freedom and for human rights are truly remarkable.

[Scott Rapps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a simple enough read. It was cool to learn more about Enes Kanter’s journey that started as one that lead him to the USA to pursue his basketball career and has lead him to a life of speaking out on global humans rights issues. It was eye opening to read about what great lengths Turkey has taken to attempt to silence Kanter and also to learn about how the NBA phased him out of the league, as to not anger China, who is a massive contributors to the NBA’s bottom line.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Name of Freedom, Enes Kanter Freedom is a touching story about a basketball player turned activist. He saw his home country being controlled by a dictator and he refused to stay silence. He opened up about how he was disowned by his own country, Turkey. He labeled an international criminal with arrest warrants. He wasn’t able to contact his family for 10 years. He shared how he almost didn’t get to escape to the United States. He was banned from the NBA. He faced opposition from Nike when they heard he left Turkey. They emailed coaches, leagues, schools, NCAA stating that he was a pro and he has a shoe deal. All because his father signed on his behalf and caused all of these issues for money. Nike had a dream of him being the next big star in Turkey and when he moved to the USA everything changed. In the book, he discussed how a general manager made a stance against China and how they treat their people and was tweeting. Enes was told he needed to not post any tweets like he had been against Turkey. A lot of the conflict came from money and China was a huge supporter of the NBA. This turned into him eventually taking a stand with his shoes and choosing to wear custom made shoes. They said free Tibet. This led to him not getting signed again and was basically banned from the NBA.





This story was very eye opening and inspiring to read about how he became a voice for the voiceless. It cost him his basketball career in the end but that hasn’t stopped him from trying to make a difference. I liked how he discussed his life and what the cost of freedom truly is. I haven’t heard of him before reading this book, but I’m not a huge sports fan. I still enjoyed the book and learning about how he refused to follow the crowd. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sports book mixed with a powerful message.

[zs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do in the name of Freedom?

Enes Kanters Freedom guides you through this book even from the beginning with such a heartfelt and homey feeling. This book is incredible. It is empowering, enlightening, and inspiring. On top of that it’s very well written and informative. This book did not only entertain me and leave me with a smile on my face at times but at many times left me tearing up too. I cried multiple times while reading. The struggles and the passion of Enes are cry-worthy and I must say his service is incredible. As Muhammad Fethullah Gülen once said:

“The true essence of humanity is a heart that yearns for peace and harmony.”

Enes is one who shows this trait in his behavior and his writing. This book is a must-read for everyone and anyone. Thank you Enes Kanter Freedom for raising your voice when no one else would.

[Ente Rente · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ish

Books like these remind me of how fun and inspiring it can be to read biographies.
The writing style is really engaging, which made me enjoy his story as if told in a 1-on-1 session with tea/chai and some sweets and snacks as to accompany us. 5/5 for that. I loved how his professional basketball career theme was interwoven.
I think this book can especially be a motivation for the youth... even more, when you like basketball.

What stands out, is his dedication to his life choice and not letting down on something he cares and sincerely believes in (in the face of all the consequences). Seems to have a strong will.

He glazes America a lot, which seems contradictory to his intense activism as described throughout the book (I can somewhat relate though, given his circumstances and the context).
Moreover I couldn't both logically and morally 100% relate to some of his decisions, but that's a given.

A book I didn't want to read at first, a read that I don't regret, a work I respect...

[David King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shew. So many thoughts while listening to this book. • I deeply admire Enes’s courage and willingness to pay the price. • where are the Christians in the NBA • is there no one else with any courage after what they did to Doug Morey and Enes • The NBA deserves nothing but shame and excoriation, certainly not a dime of American money

[Brian Fiedler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobook format was flawless. A highlight: Enes bravely exposes the NBA support of BLM as being for the money. Ditto for Colin Kaepernick.

I learned so much about Turkey, the Uyghurs, the hypocrisy of the Muslim world, the NBA, the life of professional basketball players.

Enes loves the USA. So do I.

[pjk82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

In today's world, too many people put their mouth where the money is...either the absence of activism to keep getting paid or activism for the cause that pays them the most. Enes is what activists should strive to be. Knowingly foregoing millions of dollars to speak the truth about many human rights issues. We can use more activists like Enes.

[Logan Woodcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. Loved hearing about how he was raised in Turkey. It really gives you an insight into the world outside of America operates. The stories about how his career was destroyed were great. I’d known about it before but not in as much detail

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has made me more curious about Turkey......and why such hatred towards the author.

[Shaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It made me a strong man in my life. The life is all about all types of exams which are going to confront us whether we want them or not. Nothing comes for free.

[Christoph Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankfully it's not a lot about sports only. Those sports books are always the same. This has a different theme. And it's well-written.

[Sheri Weir Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional Book

This book really opens your eyes. I urge everyone to read it. My heart goes out to Enes, and everything he's endured.

[Akif Okumus · Rating 5 out of 5]

An educating, eye-opening book about double standards in the world of sports and politics, not only a biography.