Coveted guard joins 'Bows

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team captured a rising star last night.

Jason Carter is "a freak of an athlete," said Barton County head coach Ryan Wolf. Associated Press

"Hawai'i was such a nice place and I met so many nice people on my visit there," he said. "And I really liked Coach (Riley) Wallace. He has the kind of system that I want to be a part of."

Carter, who was raised in Indiana but played the last two seasons at Barton County Community College (Kan.), visited the UH-Manoa campus two weeks ago. The only other schools he visited were San Jose State, South Carolina and Wichita State. He will be a junior in the fall, and will have three years to complete two seasons of eligibility.

"I just feel like Hawai'i is the best fit for me," he said. "I like the offense; it's built around the guards. I like to get up and down the floor, so I think I can bring something to them."

Carter averaged a team-high 16.4 points per game as a sophomore at Barton County last season. He also averaged 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists, and led the team with 52 3-pointers and 76 steals.

"He's a freak of an athlete — the most athletic guy in our league," Barton County head coach Ryan Wolf said. "He was definitely our go-to player."

The Cougars finished 22-10 last season, and advanced to the second round of the regional playoffs. According to Wolf, Carter was also "one of the most exciting players in junior college" because of his leaping ability.

"He averaged about two dunks a game," Wolf said. "He reminds a lot of people of Spud Webb, but I think his game is more like a Damon Stoudamire as far as athletic ability."

From a standing position under the basket, Carter can jump straight up and dunk a basketball. However, Wolf said Carter's greatest asset is speed.

What's more, Wolf said Carter's "best basketball is ahead of him."

Prior to attending Barton County, Carter played just two seasons of basketball at Horace Mann High in Gary, Ind. He did not play during his sophomore and junior years because his father became ill and was moved into a care home.

For those two years, Carter lived with a friend's family and contemplated dropping out of school. He returned to basketball as a senior only after he was spotted playing in a pick-up game.

"It was a crazy time for me," he said. "I had a tough road, that's why I could never have expected to end up in Hawai'i playing basketball. I feel fortunate just to have that chance."

Carter, who is expected to fax his official letter of intent to UH today, will be the second recruit to sign with the 'Bows. Dane Dmitrovic, a 6-10 forward from Slovenia, signed with Hawai'i last week.

The 'Bows have two more scholarships available. Four recruits are in the running for those two spots: 6-5 guard Michael Kuebler from Clackamas Community College (Ore.), 6-6 forward Emigijus Lukosius from Lithuania and Weatherford College (Texas), 6-6 forward Renaldo Major from South Plains College (Texas) and another European player.