Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom is once again making headlines for his outspoken criticism of China — this time targeting Olympic freestyle skier Eileen Gu for competing under the Chinese flag instead of Team USA.
Kanter, who has previously said he was effectively pushed out of the NBA after condemning China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims, accused Gu of benefiting from American freedoms while aligning herself with what he called an authoritarian regime.
“She was born in America, raised in America, lives in America, and chose to compete against her own country for the worst human rights abuser on the planet, China,” Kanter wrote on X.
He argued that Gu built her brand in the United States before representing China on the global stage, claiming she has remained silent on Beijing’s human rights record. “When human rights come up, she disappears,” he wrote. “That’s not neutrality. That’s a choice.”
Gu, a two-time Olympic gold medalist born in California to a Chinese mother, chose to compete for China beginning with the 2022 Winter Olympics. Her decision sparked debate in the U.S., particularly given ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing.
The issue resurfaced this week after Gu commented on controversy surrounding American skier Hunter Hess, who previously said it was “hard” to wear Team USA gear amid political disagreements at home. President Donald Trump responded by calling Hess a “real loser.”
Gu criticized the politicization of the Olympics, saying the headlines detracted from the spirit of the Games. Chinese state media amplified her comments, framing them as criticism of U.S. politics.
Kanter seized on that moment to renew his criticism, arguing that Gu cannot claim the benefits of U.S. citizenship while representing China internationally. He went further, suggesting she should not retain her American citizenship if she continues to promote China abroad.
Gu recently finished second in competition behind Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud. Following the event, she reflected on the pressure of competing on behalf of China, saying at times it feels like carrying “the weight of two countries” on her shoulders.
Kanter, however, dismissed that framing, maintaining that Gu made a clear choice when she opted to compete for China.
