Lakers superstar LeBron James has refused to publicly advocate for the COVID-19 vaccine, which didn’t sit well with Celtics center Enes Kanter

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is vaccinated, but he refused to publicly support COVID-19 vaccination as he emphasized his stance on athletes having their own choice. Of course, this didn’t sit well for vaccine advocates like Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter.

In a recent interview with Pamela Brown of CNN, Kanter shared how “disappointed” he was after learning about LeBron’s position on the matter. In a follow-up tweet, he also called the stance “ridiculous,” especially amid the growing number of athletes like Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal and Michael Porter Jr. coming out to express their hesitance and concerns about the vaccine.

“You know, when I heard it, I was very disappointed and it is 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, all sport fans to go out, get this vaccine so we could save other lives,” Kanter said of the Lakers star, per Media ITE.

“So when I heard that, I just can’t believe it. But I hope he could educate himself about this vaccination and encourage other people around him.”

To recall during the Lakers’ Media Day, LeBron James shared that he was skeptical at first before eventually deciding to get the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the Lakers forward, he realized he was fine with the vaccine since it also allows him to further protect his family and friends.

However, instead of encouraging other athletes to do the same, he declined to do so and mentioned that he doesn’t want to be a “public advocate of it.”

“I think everyone has their own choice to do what they feel is right for themselves and their family,” LeBron said, per Complex. “We’re talking about individual bodies. We’re not talking about something political or racism or police brutality,” James added. “I don’t think I personally should get involved in what other people do for their bodies and livelihoods.”

For what it’s worth, there are only a few NBA players like Enes Kanter who are openly supporting COVID-19 vaccination. In fact, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green has the same stance as LeBron.

Kanter will be happy with the fact that 95 percent of NBA players have been vaccinated. Green’s Warriors teammate Andrew Wiggins has even decided to finally get it.