A.C. still tops at UH in assists

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

As far as the University of Hawai'i men's basketball program is concerned, Anthony Carter is still the ace of assists.

Former Rainbow Warrior Anthony Carter returns to the Stan Sheriff Center. Advertiser library photo

This time, he will be passing out knowledge and autographs as a guest instructor for the UH Rainbow Men's Basketball Camp, which starts tomorrow at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"It's all about not forgetting where I came from," said Carter, the gifted star of UH's teams that appeared in the NIT in 1997 and '98. "The coaches here helped me to get to the situation I'm in now and the people of Hawai'i were always great to me."

Much has changed since Carter's UH playing days.

Last summer, he signed a three-year contract with the Heat worth around $12 million. But while the bank account has grown, his ego has not.

Shortly after signing his contract, Carter donated $100,000 to a scholarship fund for the UH men's basketball program. His work with the camp this weekend is voluntary.

"Basically, I just wanted to give something back to the school," he said. "Now I'm back here again because I want to give something back to the kids also."

The camp is open to boys and girls ages 5 through 17. "A.C." said he still gets a charge out of working with youths.

"I love it because I didn't have any camps to go to when I was growing up," said Carter, who was raised in Atlanta. "Now that I've made it to the NBA, I feel like I can make a difference in telling these kids which way to go and which way not to go. I want them to understand that no matter where you come from, you can make it as long as you stay in school and stay away from drugs and alcohol."

Carter has the same advice ready for his new son, Devin, who is 10 weeks old.

"That's basically who I've been chilling with since the end of the season," said Carter, who will celebrate his 27th birthday on June 16. "I've just been taking it easy."

He admits he needed the rest. Last season — his third with the Heat — he was limited to 46 games because of a "sports hernia" injury.

Carter was the Heat's opening day starter at point guard. After his mid-season injury, he became a back-up to veteran Rod Strickland. Carter, who is listed at 6 feet 2 and 195 pounds, still finished second on the Heat with 4.7 assists per game.

Miami finished 36-46 and did not reach the playoffs for the first time in Carter's career.

"My health is great now," Carter said. "I think last season was a struggle for the whole team, and we just have to put it behind us. I know I'm going to use this off-season to work hard and do what I can to help my team bounce back next year."

Despite Miami's struggles, Carter said he was delighted to follow the success of the 'Bows, who finished with a 27-6 record.

"I knew they had a good season, but the only game I watched was when they lost in the (NCAA) Tournament to Xavier," he said.

Carter's UH pride surfaced again last month while watching the UH men's volleyball team win the national championship.

"I made my girlfriend and my girlfriend's mom watch on TV," he said. "And when Hawai'i won, I said 'that's my school.' "

• Camp information: Walk-up entries for this weekend's camp will be accepted tomorrow at the Stan Sheriff Center, starting around 8:30 a.m.

The first camp begins tomorrow and continues Sunday and Monday. A second camp will be held June 11-13. Both camps run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.

Carter is scheduled to appear at both camps. Other current and former 'Bows, including Mindaugas Burneika, Mike McIntyre and Lance Takaki, are scheduled to assist head coach Riley Wallace and his staff.

Walk-up entries for the June 11-13 camp will also be accepted this weekend.

Entry fee is $150 per child. For further information, call 956-6501.

• Savo still scoring: Predrag Savovic scored 17 points during a scrimmage last night at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp at Chicago.

"My shot has been feeling good," he said. "I just hope it helps my chances (in the NBA Draft)."

Savovic, the star of last season's UH team, is a 6-foot-6 guard who could get picked in the first round of the June 26 NBA Draft. Through two scrimmages, he has 36 points.