Enes Kanter Freedom Says He Wants to 'Educate' LeBron James on China

The Celtics big man has been critical of China over their treatment of Uyghur Muslims in the country's Xinjiang province.

Celtics center Enes Kanter Freedom said that he is willing to have a conversation with LeBron James to "educate him" on human rights violations in China. Freedom has been critical of James and Nike in the past for not speaking up about the the subject. 

"Sure, I'd love to sit down and talk to him," Freedom told reporters on Tuesday, per ESPN. "I'm sure it's going to be a very uncomfortable conversation for him. I don't know if he's gonna want that. I'll make that really comfortable for him.

"I don't know if he's educated enough, but I'm here to educate him and I'm here to help him, because it's not about money. It's about morals, principles and values. It's about what you stand for. There are way bigger things than money. If LeBron stopped making money now, his grandkids and grandkids and grandkids can have the best life ever."

Freedom became a U.S. citizen on Monday and legally changed his last name to celebrate the occasion. In the past, he has repeatedly called out James and Nike for not speaking up against China for their treatment of the ethnic Uyghur population in the country's Xinjiang province. 

On Nov. 18, Freedom tweeted several designs for shoes that depicted James with bags of money and being crowned. One design read, "Hey still researching and getting educated?"

Money over Morals for the “King” 👑

Sad & disgusting how these athletes pretend they care about social justice

They really do “shut up & dribble” when Big Boss 🇨🇳 says so

Did you educate yourself about the slave labor that made your shoes or is that not part of your research? pic.twitter.com/YUA8rGYeoZ

— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) November 18, 2021

Earlier this month, James was asked about Freedom's criticism. He said Freedom was "not someone I will give my energy to," and went on to say that the Celtics big man had an opportunity to speak with him after a game, but instead walked by him in the hallway. 

During a TV appearance on Fox News, Freedom refuted that claim and said James was the one who walked past him. He reiterated his side of things on Tuesday as well.

"He's lying 100%," Freedom told Fox News. "First of all, he's lying about that too because I actually walk out a tunnel and I stopped to take a picture with a kid and he was right behind me. He was the one to literally walk right past me and didn't say anything."

Boston Celtics Center Enes Kanter says Lebron James is “lying 100%” about their interaction after Kanter called James out over Nike and China ties.

“It’s going to be a very uncomfortable conversation for him, but whenever he wants to talk, I’m always here.” pic.twitter.com/OsBelbTCQ4

— The Recount (@therecount) November 24, 2021

The Celtics and Lakers don't square off again until Dec. 7 on TNT at 10 p.m. ET.

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