Thunder news: Enes Kanter’s passport issue could effect his status for Dec 7 Mexico City contest

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Enes Kanter are pursuing options to allow Kanter passport clearance for OKC’s Dec 7 Mexico City contest.

In May, due to his hard-line stance against Turkish President Recep Erdogan, Kanter was detained on a flight bound for his native country and placed upon the Turkish government’s terrorist watch-list.

Amid this situation, travel documents for the conscientious 25-year-old were cancelled. Now, doubts persist regarding Kanter’s availability for Oklahoma City’s international showcase vs. Brooklyn.

Per Fred Katz of the Norman Transcript:

“Without a valid passport, he (Kanter) is unable to travel to another country other than Canada, which allows entry from U.S. residents who have a Green Card. There is no such agreement with Mexico.

Kanter could receive a re-entry permit, a special document issued to citizens of other countries whose passports have been canceled for reasons the U.S. government deems unsuitable. The permit would allow Kanter to leave the U.S. for another country, such as Mexico, and still return. And the plan is for Kanter to acquire one before OKC’s game in Mexico City. Still, he is yet to receive a re-entry permit, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. There is, however, still ample time for that process to complete.”

Though, with the NBA firmly backing him, expect Kanter to receive clearance ahead of December’s publicized contest.

Kanter recounting his ordeal during an appearance with CBS This Morning: