TUR – Kanter has to watch March Madness, not play

LEXINGTON (NCAA)- This was supposed to be an incredible weekend for Enes Kanter, the hottest basketball talent ever to leave Turkey for America.

He had enrolled at Kentucky last year on a full scholarship and fully expected to suit up for the Wildcats this season.

As it is, when John Calipari’s team takes on Princeton on Thursday in the NCAA Tournament, 2.08m Kanter will only be able to watch.

He was declared ineligible because the NCAA earlier this year decided he'd received payments while a player Fenerbahce that were more than compensation for “actual and necessary expenses.

It’s been a difficult time for Kanter.

“I cry when I watch the games," he said to Yahoo! Sports.

“When I watch them play I’m sad because I cannot help my teammates.

"When I see them losing, it’s frustrating.”

Kanter has remained at Kentucky to get ready for the NBA Draft, which is a few months away.

He's not bitter about the NCAA ruling, which stated that he'd received more than $33,000 in impermissible benefits while at Fenerbahce.

But he does believe all of the evidence suggests he should have been allowed to suit up for Kentucky.

Kanter turned down reported multi-million dollar deals with both Olympiacos and Fenerbahce to travel to the United States, attend prep school and then college before playing in the NBA.

"They’re (NCAA) just trying to do their job, but I think they’re wrong,” Kanter said.

“I didn’t want to be a professional. That’s why I came here."

Does he still think the United States is the best route for his compatriots and other Europeans to take in the world of basketball?

His answer is yes.

“(They) should come over here because basketball, education and everything is two times better," he said.

"But after they heard about me, they’re going to be scared and say, ‘Enes could not play so maybe we can’t play.’”

FIBA