Kanter thanks Canadian government after getting cleared to play in Toronto

Enes Kanter thanked the Canadian government, among other parties, for its efforts after he was cleared to travel outside the United States for the Boston Celtics' clash against the Toronto Raptors on Christmas Day.

"I want to thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, U.S. and Canadian law enforcement, U.S. Senator Ed Markey, the Celtics, the NBA, and my managers for working diligently to make my Christmas game against the Raptors possible and ensuring my safety there," Kanter wrote in an editorial published in The Globe and Mail on Monday.

Earlier this season, the big man claimed that two men outside of a Boston mosque were harassing him because of his stance toward the Turkish government. Kanter also said he planned to hire a full-time security team.

The 27-year-old didn't travel with the New York Knicks for a game in London, England last season because he feared a potential assassination attempt stemming from his criticism of the Turkish government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He also didn't travel to Toronto for a meeting last season while a member of the Portland Trail Blazers due to similar safety concerns.

Kanter is averaging 7.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in 20 games with Boston this season.