Steven Adams was a very, very big fan of halal food.
It was just a normal family. We were playing basketball, we were playing soccer. It was home-cooked meals, just peaceful and happy times.
I have the travel documents. I have a green card. I can go anywhere.
When I stepped in America outside of the plane, I said, 'I came home.'
May 20, 2017, was one of the scariest days of my life. It was the day I realized I was being hunted by Erdogan.
My father has been targeted for persecution by the Turkish government and its leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, because of his association with me.
My faith in Islam is not unlike my faith in the game of basketball: Both require immense determination, focus, passion and discipline.
I’m not a criminal or a radical. I’m not 'dangerous.' I’m a human being with opinions and beliefs that I have a right to express.
I am immensely blessed to be in America. This country has given me so much since I came here from Turkey as a teenager, and I feel obliged to give back to the community. I spent the summer crisscrossing the nation, holding 50 basketball camps for kids in 30 states.
Because the last time I saw my family was 2015. Sometimes I even forget what they look like, you know? It’s so hard to communicate with them. Because Turkish police raided my house. They took electronics away, computers away. They wanted to see if I’m still in contact with my family or not. Any single text, they will all be in jail.
Basketball is my escape, and I cannot bring any of my problems onto the court.
When I say all of this stuff about Turkey, people don't understand. They think I don't like Turkey. I love Turkey. I love my people. I love Turkish food and everything. But my problem is with the government.
Before I go to those teams, I say, ‘Hey, I’m a Muslim and I have to pray five times a day.' And they respect it so much that they give me a prayer room. So before the game, after the game, before practice, before I fly out, I can go to that room whenever I want and pray.
People often ask me why I continue to speak out if it’s hurting my family. But that’s exactly why I speak out. The people Erdogan is targeting are my family, my friends, my neighbors, my classmates. I need to speak out, or my country will suffer in silence.
Turkey was a peaceful county, Turkey was a lovely county.
I think it’s so cool to just prove haters wrong. All you have to do is go out there and just fight.
I have a voice, and I'm trying to use it to be the voice for all the innocent people who don't have one.
I receive many death threats. I used to love walking around New York City alone, but I can’t do that anymore.
My observance as a practicing Muslim in the NBA is somewhat uncommon. Since joining the league in 2011, my dedication to my faith has aroused the curiosity of teammates, coaches, trainers and fans.
You still miss Turkish people, talking Turkish, you still miss your culture. That's why New York is the best place to be because everywhere you go there's Turkish people, your friends are here, you can go to eat Turkish food every day.
