Celtics' Enes Kanter rips LeBron James for failing to publicly advocate for COVID vaccine: 'It's ridiculous'

close

Video

Dan Bongino: NBA players speak out against vaccine mandates

'Unfiltered' host says 'red pills' are dropping in sports and entertainment world

Boston Celtics forward Enes Kanter blasted LeBron James for refusing to become a public advocate for the coronavirus vaccine while some stars have struggled to come around to getting it.

In an interview on Saturday night, Kanter said he "couldn’t believe" the Los Angeles Lakers forward wasn't using his large platform to push the vaccine.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

 T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game on May 15, 2021 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

"When I heard it, I was very disappointed, and it's ridiculous. Obviously, LeBron James, he's one of the faces of the league, and he should be the first one to go out there and say, 'Listen, everyone. I got the vaccine, and I'm encouraging everyone, my community, everyone, basketball fans, non-basketball fans and sports fans are just going out there and get this vaccine, so we can save other lives.' 

Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter (13) during Celtics Media Day in Canton MA. (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)

"When I heard that, I just couldn't believe it. But I hope he can educate himself about this vaccination and inspire and encourage other people around him," he told CNN.

James was asked about whether he received the COVID-19 vaccine after telling reporters earlier in the year he wasn’t going to reveal that information.

LAKERS' LEBRON JAMES SAYS HE RECEIVED COVID-19 VACCINE: 'I THINK EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN CHOICE'

"I think everyone has their own choice to do what they feel is right for themselves and their family," James said at Lakers’ media day, via USA Today. "I know that I was very (skeptical) about it all, but after doing my research and things of that nature, I felt like it was best suited for not only me but my family and my friends, and that's why I decided to do it."

Enes Kanter #11 of the Boston Celtics walks backcourt during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 16, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

He added that he won’t try to convince people to get the vaccine.

"We're talking about individuals' bodies," James said. "We're not talking about something that's political or racism or police brutality and things of that nature.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"We're talking about people's bodies and well-beings. I don't feel like, for me personally, that I should get involved in what people should do for their bodies and their livelihoods."

Fox News’ Dan Canova contributed to this report.