Enes Kanter was the SEC's first selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, going No. 3 to the Utah Jazz. Though he's only barely been a SEC player, that of course never stopped Kentucky Wildcats fans from fully adopting him anyway. Asked about how he was able to be selected despite the long layoff since his last competitive basketball experience, he immediately credited Big Blue Nation:
First of all, I just want to dedicate my rookie season to Kentucky fans. They supported me a lot. They are so special. They will always be in my heart. Kentucky is amazing. I just learned my second language. It was amazing.
Kanter was also the player rumored to be the target of a deal that would've sent Josh Smith from the Atlanta Hawks to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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