NBA Star “Really Serious” About Joining WWE

WWE might have found its next giant, and in perhaps the best instance of long-term booking in company history, he may be laying the groundwork for a debut about 10 years from now.

Vice Sports sat down with 6’11” New York Knicks center Enes Kanter recently, for a wide-ranging interview covering his career, political activism, and interests off the basketball court.

It was when addressing those off-court passions that Kanter revealed that his “most intense obsession is the WWE“. In fact, his admiration for both the business and its icons is such that at the star even paid homage to the Undertaker during the University of Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness in 2010.

Although, anyone who actually watches the event in question will certainly be left with doubts as to whether Kanter truly knows anything about the ‘Deadman’. I mean, what kind of self-respecting wrestling fan pulls of an Undertaker entrance in less than ten minutes?

The Turkish native, a seven-year veteran of the National Basketball Association (NBA), went on to discuss some of the friendships he’s cultivated with wrestlers over the years, and disclosed that he is dedicated to making the leap to professional wrestling once he retires from the NBA, which he anticipates to be in about 10 years’ time.

“I’m actually talking to the people over there now. Vince McMahon, he knows me. I had dinner with [Paul Heyman] two, three days ago. I asked him how long he’s gonna do this and he said ‘as long as Brock [Lesnar] goes, I go, and then I’m with you.’ I’m like yes! Seriously. I’m really serious about it.”

The “next chapter”: a Paul Heyman Guy?

This is not the first time that Kanter has expressed an interest in joining WWE after his basketball career comes to an end. Earlier this year, the Knicks big man shared some pictures on Twitter with his favorite wrestlers, including John Cena, the New Day and Braun Strowman.

The images were captioned “my next chapter” and elicited this tantalizing response from Paul Heyman himself:

Your Humble #Advocate is primed and ready to promote promote promote! Ladies and Gentlemen, it is both an honor and a pleasure, indeed a privlege to present The Turkish Delight, the CENTER of your attention, the Basket-BRAWLER, @Enes_Kanter!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Mm5GhEaiwX

— Paul Heyman (@HeymanHustle) May 9, 2018

While the ‘Basket-Brawler’ seems intent on pulling off a move to WWE, considering that he’s set to earn $18.6 million with the Knicks in 2018 (significantly more than any WWE wrestler), who could blame him for wanting to delay it for a few years?

There’s still plenty of time to headline WrestleMania with Roman Reigns.

What do you make of Enes Kanter’s desire to join WWE? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, on Twitter or in our Discord server.

• enes kanter
• nba
• paul heyman
• wwe

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