Many athletes and sports fanatics have heard the phrase, “There is no ‘I’ in team.” For Ben Carter, he not only embodies this idea, but also practices it. He makes himself available to play many positions on the court, not just one. That versatility is evident in that he is more than capable of defending a power forward, while also effective at playing the small forward position on offense.
Carter knocking down a free throw . . .
Prior to Oregon, Carter spent his high school career playing prep basketball at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, one of the most competitive programs in the country. During his sophomore season Carter played varsity on the BGHS team that earned a state title, a squad which also included UO player Jonathan Loyd.
He went on to snatch two more rings in his junior and senior seasons, giving him State Title wins in each of his three years as a varsity player.
As a junior, Carter averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game earning not only all-conference, but also all-state recognition that season. During that 2010-11 season, he was a key factor in leading BGHS to an overall 25-6 record. Unfortunately, due to a foot injury, Carter sat out most of his senior season, but in the games in which he was able to play, he averaged an impressive 10.1 points and 7.4 rebounds — at least, impressive for a player struggling with an injury. Following that 2011-12 season Carter was named a third-team all-state selection and received all-conference recognition.
. . . and on the other end defending . . .
Before Carter chose Oregon as the place to spend his collegiate career, he was looking at a handful of other schools which included USC, UNLV, San Diego State, Utah and New Mexico.
In his freshman season, Carter appeared in all 37 games for the Ducks, averaging 2.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. In his hometown collegiate debut vs. UNLV he scored a career-high 12 points.
Some other big stats from his first season include a game against Houston Baptist where he snatched eight rebounds and went six-for-six from the free throw line. Additionally, against Oregon State he blocked four shots and facing Colorado he racked up 10 points.
. . . and going for the loose ball . . .
His stats vary across the board from points to rebounds to blocks to free throws, but Carter is that role playerorientated sport where all the stats matter.
Able to contribute in any area of the game, Carter shows his unselfishness as a player as well as his maturity as an athlete, traits that even some of the best players lack. With a rare ability to play inside and out, his 6-foot-8, 228 lb. build allows him to create scoring opportunities for teammates.
He has a keen sense of the game in which he knows how to use his size to the team’s advantage. Carter can score outside, but also knows how to drive into the lane to make a defense collapse and create good looks for his teammates.
. . . and at the rim.
Carter will continue to grow as a player, especially with help from those of his teammates who play the various positions of power forwards and small forwards. His capacity to grasp the skills of various positions on the court increase opportunities for the team as a whole.
The Ducks are fortunate to have a team player such as Ben Carter who truly embodies the ideals and work ethic that reflect what a “team” is all about.
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Alex Legarza is a junior at the University of Oregon studying business and media studies. Born and raised in San Francisco, Alex has fallen in love with Bay Area Sports and now the Ducks. She has a devoted passion to sports, growing up playing basketball, volleyball, and soccer and continuing to play basketball and volleyball at the high school varsity level. There is nothing Alex loves more than watching her favorite teams perform or actively playing sports herself. When she is not involved in sports, Alex likes to lead an active lifestyle with traveling and spending time with family and friends. After college Alex is looking to pursue a career in the sports industry.