MILWAUKEE — The Knicks have no game Saturday night, but center Enes Kanter vows to be on celebrity row at the Garden.
He figures he’ll be watching his younger brother, 6-foot-10 Xavier center KeremKanter, in the Big East championship game.
No. 3 ranked Xavier beat St. John’s, 88-60, in the quarterfinals at the Garden on Thursday. The younger Kanter was given the same locker stall as Enes in the Knicks’ dressing room.
Headed to a Knicks’ practice at Marquette during the St. John’s game, the elder Kanter followed the action on his phone. His brother poured in 12 points.
“It’s good,” Kanter said. “He’s seeing the MSG atmosphere, New York and everything. He was in Times Square a couple of days ago with friends and teammates.”
Enes admits Kerem is the more reserved of the two, but the better outside shooter and driver — a lefty with a lot more finesse in playing both forward positions.
“He’s more quiet — chill and calm, doesn’t troll people,” Kanter said. “He doesn’t go on social media and fight. I always make fun of him but I think he’s way better than me [as a shooter].’’
Kerem spent a lot time with Enes over the summer working out in New York, where Kanter spent his offseasons even before becoming a Knick. He feels he has instilled in his brother the mindset of “playing hardest every possession, your last year in college.’’ Kerem averaged 10.2 points on 56.5 percent shooting for the Xavier powerhouse.
After coming from Turkey, Enes practiced with Kentucky during the 2010-11 season but never played an NCAA game, after being ruled ineligible. It’s a bitter regret. Now he will live vicariously through Kerem during March Madness.
Even if Kerem is not drafted this June, he will attempt to make a team out of training camp.
“His goal is to play in the NBA,’’ Kanter said. “He’ll see his options. I hope he pays in the NBA. I’d like to play against him and bury him on the court.’’
With Courtney Lee (personal reasons) expected to miss Friday’s Bucks game, the Knicks starting backcourt is expected again to be Emmanuel Mudiay and Frank Ntilikina.
If Clippers coach Doc Rivers becomes a free agent, the Bucks could be in the mix, along with the Knicks. Joe Prunty, who took over in Milwaukee for the fired Jason Kidd, could return if the Bucks (34-31) have a good playoff run, though they have dropped to the eighth seed. Rivers is a former Marquette legend and Chicago product.