Film Room: Andrew Carr

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film-room-andrew-carr — Photo via @UKAthletics on Twitter/X.

Three commitments in three days. The transfer portal has turned roster building into a 24/7 news cycle and Big Blue Nation is experiencing that firsthand this “offseason.” Kentucky’s roster doubled from three to six scholarship players in just over 48 hours from Friday to Sunday. First, it was Lamont Butler’s somewhat surprise commitment. Then, Otega Oweh made his announcement on Saturday. Finally, Andrew Carr joined the family on Sunday following his weekend visit. You can check out all of our KSR Film Room breakdowns with corresponding YouTube videos via the links below.

Lamont Butler: Film Room & Video
Collin Chandler: Film Room & Video
Otega Oweh: Film Room & Video
Travis Perry: Film Room & Video
Amari Williams: Film Room & Video

There was a portion of Big Blue Nation that questioned the fits of Butler and Oweh within the perceived Coach Mark Pope offensive system. Neither guard is known as a major shooting threat leaving some concerns about floor spacing. However, no such concerns apply to this most recent commitment. Andrew Carr is a tailor-made pick-and-pop 4-man to play in Coach Pope’s preferred offensive style. The 6’10” Wake Forest transfer made 36 three-point shots last season at a 37.1% clip. He also is excellent in the mid-range, scores at a high rate in the post, and can attack closeouts from the perimeter. Per Synergy, Carr scored 1.138 points per possession as a senior placing him in the 96th percentile nationally.

As always, we have been hard at work inside of the KSR Film Room breaking down the tape of Kentucky’s latest commitment. Carr brings a unique blend of offensive skill, rebounding, and rim protection. He is yet another very experienced piece having started 112 of 117 career games between Delaware and Wake Forest. At Kentucky, his ability to stretch the floor from the 4-spot will be valuable to offset what may be less elite shooting than we expected at some other positions. Carr is a plug-and-play guy who brings a high level of versatility to both ends of the floor. Let’s dive into the film and take a closer look at what Coach Pope and the Wildcats are getting in Andrew Carr.

Face-Up Ability

Andrew Carr has a lot of strengths on the offensive end of the floor, but as it pertains to playing for Coach Mark Pope at Kentucky his face-up and pick-and-pop ability is probably the most intriguing. The 6’10” forward shot 37.1% from three last season and was 42.6% in unguarded, catch-and-shoot attempts per Synergy. He will be on the receiving end of some open shots created by the playmakers around him. Also, Carr is good off of the dribble when spaced out on the perimeter. He can put the ball on the floor and attack closeouts like a guard. That is where his versatility really comes into play. Carr is going to get to play in a ton of space within Coach Pope’s scheme.

When you have a 4-man that can operate like this on the perimeter it really opens up your offense. The threat of him shooting it from three forces more aggressive closeouts which allows Carr to create off of the bounce. He moves like a guard with the ball in his hands, has the ability to change direction, and is fluid enough athletically to score off of the dribble. Most bigger defenders will have a really hard time when isolated like this on the wing.

Having the ability to pick-and-pop extends beyond simply making three-point shots. Creating the closeout after the defender hedges the ballscreen can be equally as valuable. In this clip, you see Andrew Carr attack #30 Filipowski’s closeout and then spin back toward the middle of the floor for the fadeaway jump shot. This might not be the highest percentage or most analytically friendly shot, but having a shot-creator at the 4 can be big for end-of-clock situations. Sometimes you need a guy to just go get a bucket and Carr has that offensive ability.

Here is where you see the pure pick-and-pop ability. Andrew Carr will force defenses to be very willing to switch the ballscreens. However, if they do elect to switch, he will then generally have a positive mismatch against a smaller defender. Notre Dame was just a hair slow on the switch in this clip and that gave the 6’10” Carr room to get his shot off. Having the ability to pick-and-pop like this is a great way to increase overall three-point volume.

Specific Utilization at Kentucky

When breaking down Andrew Carr’s film there were several instances that stood out of how he would likely be used at Kentucky. This will not be a new experience or foreign concept for the fifth-year senior. Instead, many of the ways that he scored at Wake Forest will translate to Kentucky. Whether it is his underrated passing ability, how he cuts off of the ball, or his experience playing high-low, Carr will be a really fun piece for Coach Pope to play with.

While the assist numbers won’t jump off the page, Andrew Carr is a very good decision-maker and underrated passer. What you see in this clip could very easily be replicated at Kentucky next season. Coach Pope will run a lot of offense that lifts the big men above the three-point line. With the staggered double on the left wing, there was a ton of open space around the basket. This is the type of cut you could see from a guy like Otega Oweh next season. The defense gets caught anticipating the handoff and Carr has the size to cleanly deliver the pass over the top of the defense.

This “45 cut” will be very effective with an interior passer like Amari Williams. If the defense turns their head when guarding Carr he has the ability to cut into open space and make them pay. Again, this is directly transferrable to something we could see next season at Kentucky. Carr rated as “excellent” finishing in the 93rd percentile as a cutter last season scoring 1.531 points per possession per Synergy.

There could be some really exciting high-low opportunities between Andrew Carr and Amari Williams. What makes the idea especially intriguing is both guys have the ability to play either spot. Carr could hit Williams or vice versa. This clip provides an example of how comfortable Carr is around the basket. You can see how he whips around, rides his man up the lane, and receives the pass over the top for a slam. It doesn’t take much to envision Williams throwing this high-low pass to Carr next season at Kentucky.

Rim Protection

Andrew Carr has some unique qualities in his offensive game. The 6’10” forward can score efficiently in the post, create his own shot off of the dribble from the perimeter, and make catch-and-shoot threes. However, the uniqueness doesn’t stop with his offensive ability. There aren’t many stretch-4 guys who also bring legitimate rebounding ability and rim protection. Carr averaged 1.5 blocks last season at Wake Forest and will pair nicely alongside a guy like Amari Williams to really solidify Kentucky’s interior defense. His agility as a big man really stands out on film.

A lot of times, the best shot blockers spend their time standing in the paint waiting for the ball to come to them at the rim. However, Carr has the ability to guard out on the perimeter and then block shots at the end of drives. Making a defensive play like this takes a level of fluidity, mobility, and timing that is pretty special. Great job by Carr to move his feet, play without fouling, and block the shot.

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Carr has excellent awareness and flashes some real quick-twitch movement on the defensive end of the floor. He covers a lot of ground in a hurry in this clip. From two steps outside of the paint he comes all of the way across the lane to block the shot attempt at the rim. Incredibly athletic play to block the shot without fouling.

With the strength, physicality, and rim protection that Amari Williams will provide inside, Andrew Carr will benefit with a lot of blocks as the secondary defender. He has shown at Wake Forest a real knack for coming from off the ball to block shots. This is where his length and athleticism really flourish. Opposing big men having to finish against an interior combination of Williams and Carr will be very difficult.

Interior Scoring

Andrew Carr is thought of as a pick-and-pop 4-man. However, per Synergy, he also finished in the 92nd percentile scoring 1.111 points per possession in post-up opportunities. That is a unique, and very valuable, combination of offensive skill. The size, athleticism, and underrated physicality of Carr’s game make him very effective as an interior scorer. He will be utilized on the roll, turning his drives into post moves, or traditional post-ups against smaller defenders.

This clip showcases Carr’s unique blend of physicality and skill. You can see how he starts to bury the defender carving out space toward the rim on the post up. Then, he scores with his left hand over his right shoulder without needing to take a dribble. His ability to score with either hand around the basket is part of why he is such an efficient, high-percentage finisher.

Here you can see Carr’s ability to operate inside of a zone. Once he gets a one-on-one matchup inside there isn’t much the defender can do. The skill level to face-up, spin, and score on the turnaround jumper is impressive. Carr can bang around on the block or face-up and score with essentially equal efficiency.

There are ways to score inside without needing to place a guy on the block for a traditional post up. Andrew Carr does a really good job of turning his drives from the perimeter into post moves. Once he gets into the paint he is patient, physical, and gets to the midline to score over his left shoulder. This will be a really effective way for him to score playing with the space Coach Pope’s offense will provide.

We’ve seen the turnaround jumper, we’ve seen the drive into a post move, and here is a look at a traditional low post catch. Once again, Andrew Carr is patient inside, gets into his move towards the midline, and finishes through contact for the And-1. Being 6’10” allows him to finish over the top of most defenders at the 4-spot. He is going to be really, really effective scoring like this at Kentucky.

Evaluation

Versatility, skill, and size are words that come to mind right away when describing Andrew Carr. The 6’10” forward is a special offensive talent who will be a plug-and-play guy for Coach Pope at Kentucky. He provides intriguing catch-and-shoot ability on the perimeter, but he is efficient all-around. Carr is a proven scorer around the basket that will provide matchup issues for opposing defenses. He has a unique ability to bang around in the post on one possession and then hit a pick-and-pop three the next. However, that unique versatility doesn’t stop on the offensive end. Carr is also a very good rebounder and rim protector. Kentucky is getting a perfect fit on both ends of the floor. He solidifies the interior defense while also helping to stretch the floor offensively.