6-3 junior guard, Providence
The son of former Heat guard (and University of Hawai’i legend) Anthony Carter, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree here. Devin Carter might be this year’s version of Jaime Jaquez Jr., a tough, smart player who manages to be incredibly effective despite lacking a buttery stroke or electric athleticism.
Old-timers who saw his pops will appreciate Devin shooting moon-ball jumpers on the exact same trajectory, despite a different release point. The younger Carter also has improved on accuracy this season, knocking down 38.5 percent from 3 (up from 29.9 percent as a sophomore) while nearly doubling his volume from a year earlier. Despite standing only 6-3, Carter is a beast on the glass, with a monstrous 15.3 percent rebound rate in Big East games; his defensive rebound rate is percentage points away from leading the conference.
Carter filled the stat sheet Saturday against mighty UConn, with 24 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals; unfortunately, his team was down by three touchdowns moments after the opening tip and struggled to ever make it a game. That type of output has been par for the course this year, however, as the junior guard has a 29.4 PER in Big East games with eye-popping 32.1-14.2-5.9 per 100 possession stats.
Currently pegged as a mid-to-late first-rounder, Carter has scouts wondering if his shooting is real and whether his on-ball playmaking can handle moving to the point full time; otherwise, he becomes a mildly interesting undersized two. Providence also needs at least one win this week to cement an NCAA Tournament bid; otherwise, the Friars are likely headed to the NIT. Carter’s squad should have a layup in the opening round Thursday against lowly Georgetown before a stern test against a strong Creighton team.
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