Potential Michigan transfer portal fit: S. Carolina wing Devin Carter
Michigan head coach Juwan Howard and his staff continue to look for help for next year’s team, and Devin Carter is on the radar. The staff still doesn’t know who’s staying and who’s going, but they’re looking at the transfer portal just in case.
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Regardless what happens with the current roster, there’s need for an athletic wing. Michigan has made contact with South Carolina frosh Carter, who entered the transfer portal four days ago. And there are some ties here that make it seem very possible.
Carter’s father, Anthony (no, not the former Michigan football All-American receiver), spent 13 seasons in the NBA. He played with the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors. He’s currently the Player Development Coach for the Miami Heat … so, yeah. Not only did he play with Howard, but he’s also still with the organization with which Howard has ties.
But what of the basketball fit?
Carter was On3.com’s No. 91 player in the 2021 class. The 6-4, 175-pounder averaged 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game on 42 percent shooting last season. He made only 16 of 60 triples, however (26.7 percent) and shot 68.8 percent from the line.
Though he’s not an elite athlete, Carter has plenty of bounce and ability and can defend. He is crafty enough to create space for his shot and can get to the rim, and he’s a better shooter than what he showed as a frosh. He can score at all three levels, but scouts agree he needs to get stronger in order to reach his potential.
But he’s got a high ceiling, they agree, if he does. Carter earned Miami High School Basketball’s Mr. Basketball Award in 2020 despite playing in 17 games this year, averaging 28.8 points and leading the team with 8.7 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field and just over 38 percent from three.
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So, yes — he can shoot the ball, even if last year wasn’t a great indication. He’s got skills and size Michigan has been lacking and has the NBA genes that have worked out for so many others whose dads played at the highest level. Glenn Robinson III, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Larry Nance Jr. are just a few of too many to mention.
Carter played 18.7 minutes per game as a frosh and decided to leave when head coach Frank Martin was fired. His best games came in a Feb. 12 win at Georgia, when he scored 21 points with four rebounds, 20 and six in a loss at Arkansas Jan. 18 and 22 and three in a Dec. 22 win over Army.
He’s apparently open, but Michigan should have a legit shot should the Wolverines go after him hard. From the Charlotte Observer: Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article259852865.html#storylink=cpy
Carter should be a commodity among Power 5 schools in the portal given his NBA bloodlines and productive freshman season. Unlike most guards of his size, he has the vertical leaping ability to play above the rim, and he thrives by using a quick first step to slash toward the basket.
