Heat offer Carter $12 million deal
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Good news for Anthony Carter should lead to good news for the Hawai'i men's basketball team.
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Carter, a standout for the Rainbows from 1996-98, reached an agreement in principle yesterday to remain with the Miami Heat for three more years.
Former UH basketball player Anthony Carter has an agreement with the Miami Heat on a 3-year contract.
"We are 99 percent sure about it," said his adviser, Llew Haden. "A.C. really wanted to stay in Miami, and we think it's a good situation for him."
Free agents are not allowed to sign contracts with NBA teams until tomorrow, so Haden could not reveal specific terms. However, the Miami Herald reported that Carter will sign a three-year, $12 million contract.
Haden said Carter will set aside some of that money to create a scholarship fund for the UH basketball program.
"At the appropriate time, we'll announce all the details," Haden said. "But it will come out of this contract. (Hawai'i) was awfully good to A.C., and he's always wanted to give something back."
Carter earned $380,000 as a rookie in 1999-2000, and $1.2 million last season.
"He grew up the hard way; his family didn't have money," Hawai'i coach Riley Wallace said. "He had to take care of himself and his family first. That he still wants to help us out shows what a special person he really is."
Carter, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound point guard, averaged 6.4 points and 3.7 assists in 72 games as a reserve last season.
Carter, 26, could become the starting point guard this season. According to the Miami Herald, the Heat "has no intention" of re-signing starter Tim Hardaway.
In two seasons at UH, Carter averaged 18.4 points and 6.9 assists, and led the Rainbows to the NIT twice.
