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Enes Kanter finally gets his chance to play at Rupp Arena.

Kanter is one of twelve former UK players scheduled to take the floor Monday night in an exhibition game against a group of "Villians" coached by former Duke All-American Christian Laettner.

While much of the hype surrounding the game has focused on Laettner's return to public enemy No. 1 in Kentucky, the game also serves as a debut for Kanter...albeit one year too late.

"That was my wish a year ago right now and it finally will happen," Kanter said. "I'm excited...[ I am] finally going to play at Rupp Arena in front of Kentucky's fans, it's great."

Last season the NCAA ruled Kanter permanently ineligible, ending his career at Kentucky before he was eligible to play in a game.

"When the NCAA made me permanently ineligible I thought I would never play in Rupp Arena but now to play in Rupp Arena in front of Kentucky's fans....it's great," he said.

Kanter spent the summer playing in his native Turkey with the national team and has been in California the last few weeks training with other NBA players. Yet he considers Lexington his hometown.

Kentucky fans supported Kanter during his ultimately futile attempt to gain eligibility and even started a "Free Enes" campaign. That's why Monday night will be special, even if it's not the debut he - or UK fans - hoped for.

"I'm finally getting to play in Rupp Arena, I think I'm free," he said.

As for Laettner, Kanter confessed he did not know who he was. Laettner's infamous buzzer beater in the 1992 East Regional against Kentucky actually occurred two months before Kanter was born.

But Kanter - a huge fan of pro wrestling who famously dressed as The Undertaker the last time he was introduced at Rupp Arena - understands his role Monday, even if he doesn't know all the historical details.

"It's the same thing as pro wrestling, there's always a good guy and a bad guy," he said.

There's no doubt which side he'll be playing on when he finally gets his chance.