New York Knicks center Enes Kanter may never be able to return to his home country of Turkey after authorities there canceled his passport. Kanter backs the hundreds of Turkish journalists and citizens jailed for speaking out against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "I am trying to be the voice of all of those innocent people," Kanter told Salon.

In an exclusive "Salon Talks" interview with Steven A. Cook, he opened up about his passion for politics and his outspoken nature that's had deeply personal consequences for him over the past year. The Turkish government is seeking a four-year prison term again him. "If I step outside America, just one step, they can do whatever they want to do," Kanter told Salon.

Despite the animosity he is facing, Kanter continues to support Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Erdogan blames for masterminding 2016's failed coup attempt. Watch the full interview above to learn why Kanter backs Gulen and what keeps him motivated on and off the court.