NBA News: Enes Kanter's Bizarre Old Diet Included Gastronomical Delights

NBA veteran Enes Kanter developed himself into one of the toughest enforcers the league has seen in the past decade.

He does not back down from anyone, and even dishes occasional smack talk against his fellow players. He is also outspoken when it comes to activism and politics in his home country of Turkey.

Which is why looking back, it’s amusing to find the Portland Trail Blazers big man’s old diet consisted of mostly sugary desserts and junk foods, like pancakes, waffles, donuts, and cheeseburgers.

In a recent appearance on The Ringer NBA Show, the 6-foot-10 forward once again had the chance to disclose his absurd eating habits back during his rookie season with the Utah Jazz.

“I remember, the first time you come into the league, you have no routine. You’re pretty much like eating whatever you found on the table,” Kanter recalled, talking to one-time teammate Raja Bell. “For me, the breakfast was a lot of chocolate chip pancakes, a lot of waffles, a lot of cereal.”

Kanter added that then-Jazz center Al Jefferson even brought donuts for rookies, compounding his already bad eating situation as they were rookies who “went to the gym early” and “had nothing to do.”

To make matters worse, the former third overall draft pick would gobble up fast-food items prior to tip-off.

“After breakfast, I am going upstairs and starting to eat donuts all day. It was terrible. It was really bad,” he shared. “Before the game, I was eating cheeseburger and fries. And then before the game, there was a huge bag of popcorn for everyone.”

Kanter has amazingly turned his diet around since. A practicing Muslim who also observes Ramadan in-season, Kanter has also switched to a plant-based diet as part of his animal rights advocacy.

He has double-double averages of 11.3 points (60.1% shooting) and 11.1 rebounds for the Blazers. Last April, he even set a franchise record with 30 rebounds in a single game.

For as long as he remains healthy and donut-free, Kanter will remain a serviceable veteran big man in the league.