Former President George W. Bush wrote a letter to Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter Freedom to congratulate him on becoming a U.S. citizen.
Mr. Bush wrote that he “appreciates” Kanter Freedom’s “commitment to the founding ideals of our Nation.”
Kanter Freedom, who became a U.S. citizen in November, showed off the letter on Twitter Monday, thanking the former president and calling it an “honor.”
“Huge thanks to the 43rd president of the U.S. George W. Bush,” wrote Kanter Freedom. “I’m proud to be a citizen of the United States of America, the land of the free and home of the brave. I will never take for granted the Freedoms that I have here.”
Kanter Freedom, an 11-year NBA veteran known previously as Enes Kanter, legally added “Freedom” to the end of his name in advance of becoming a citizen.
“America is a great land of freedom and opportunity,” Mr. Bush wrote. “We are blessed by the diversity of our citizens, and I encourage you to embrace this chance to add to our country’s proud heritage.”
What an honor!
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) December 27, 2021
Huge thanks to 43rd president of the U.S. George W. Bush
I’m proud to be a citizen of the United States of America, the land of the free and home of the brave. 🇺🇸
I will never take for granted the Freedoms that I have here. pic.twitter.com/WAtTcLUMwb
Kanter Freedom, who is Turkish and was born in Switzerland, has regularly spoken out about a number of causes, including putting phrases on his sneakers such as “free China,” “free Tibet” and “no Beijing 2022.” Kanter Freedom, a bench player who is scoring 4.7 points per game, also has called out Nike’s labor practices and Lakers star LeBron James.
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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