TUR - Kanter shows why he's a lottery pick [video]

CHICAGO (NBA) - Enes Kanter may not have graced the floor for Kentucky this season, but that has in no way affected his stock for the 2011 NBA Draft.

Most mock drafts on the internet expect the 2.08m big man from Turkey - who turns 19 on 20 May - to be selected as high as third overall and not to drop any lower than eighth or ninth.

Kanter did not play for the Wildcats after being declared ineligible by the NCAA, who ruled he had received payments deemed to be more than compensation for "actual and necessary expenses" while playing for Turkish club Fenerbahce.

After the NCAA announced its ruling, he decided nonetheless to stay in Lexington and work out with the NBA Draft in mind.

In the last month, he has moved to Chicago to step up his training regiment under the tutelage of renowned trainer Tim Grover.

Grover has worked with the creme of the crop of NBA players, including Michael Jordan, Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant to mention but a few.

Next week, Kanter will be one of 54 players taking part in the Chicago Pre-Draft Combine, where he will showcase his skills for his future NBA team.

Check out Kanter polishing his game at Grover's ATTACK Athletics training facilities

Kanter had already shown flashes of his immense potential at the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit when he set a new game record 34 points - besting Dirk Nowitzki's mark of 33 points - and added 13 rebounds in only 24 minutes of play.

Check out his highlights from that game

FIBA