One of college basketball's best prospects this season may have received money and benefits worth more than $100,000 during a three-year period, according to a Tuesday report.
Enes Kanter, a key player in Kentucky's top-ranked recruiting class, was given the benefits by the Turkish professional team he played for, the club's general manager told The New York Times. Obviously, the comments from Fenerbache's Nedim Karakas could ruin Kanter's NCAA's eligibility. Kanter — who's 6-foot-9, 240-pounds — is Scout.com's No. 1 center among 2010 recruits.
According to the Times, Fenerbache would likely profit from Kanter — now 18 — being declared ineligible because the team would receive a transfer payment if he were to play in Europe next season. Karakas, the general manager, said Fenerbache has turned over financial records to the NCAA to support the club's claim.
However, Kanter never signed a contract with the team, which further complicates the situation. The NCAA is reviewing Kanter's status and didn't clear him to play during a Kentucky preseason trip.
Wildcats coach John Calipari didn't respond to the Times but did say recently that he expected Kanter's status to be determined by the end of the month, the Sporting News reported Tuesday.
Kanter was with Fenerbache from when he was 14 until heading to the U.S. to attend prep school about a year ago.
