Posted on: Thursday, October 10, 2002
UH BASKETBALL
Carter hopes to take game to next level
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| UH guard Jason Carter, generously listed at 5 feet 10, will use his 40-inch vertical leap in tomorrow's dunk contest.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiseriser . . . Midnight Ohana • What: First official practice for NCAA basketball teams • Who: University of Hawai'i men's and women's basketball teams • When: Festivities begin at 8 p.m. with a mini-carnival and concert. Introduction of players will start around 11:30 p.m. • Where: Stan Sheriff Center • Basketball activities: 3-point shootout between the men's and women's teams; slam-dunk contest for the men's team; intrasquad scrimmage for the men's team • Admission: Free general admission; $50 for VIP courtside seating (presale only, call 956-6501 before 4:30 p.m. tomorrow for reservations) |
With the addition of Jason Carter, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team should get off to a jump-start tomorrow.
Carter will make his debut as a Rainbow Warrior at the annual Midnight Ohana at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Carter, who is 22 and already has a basketball rags-to-riches story, is hoping to make an impact before the clock strikes 12.
In particular, he will show off his extraordinary jumping ability during the team's slam-dunk contest.
"I guess it comes natural," said Carter, who was recruited to UH out of Barton County Community College (Kan.). "I never did too much leg work, I've just always had the ability to jump."
From a standing position, Carter can jump 34 inches off the ground. With a running start, his vertical leap stretches above 40 inches.
Making it look even more impressive, Carter is listed generously at 5 feet 10 inches and 155 pounds.
"He's so little, when he jumps up that high you think he's going to come down and break his legs," said UH associate head coach Jackson Wheeler. "When you first see him you don't think much, but he's a big-time leaper."
Carter said he does not have any choreographed routine prepared for the dunk contest. Instead, he is hoping for an energetic crowd to assist him.
He will be up against at least one other formidable dunker on the UH roster. Carl English, who won the contest as a freshman two years ago, said he has "a special bag of tricks" ready.
In any case, Carter is appreciative just to be a participant.
He grew up in the rough-and-tumble section of Gary, Ind., where he said the goal was "not so much playing basketball as it was staying alive to play basketball."
Gangs were prevalent in his neighborhood, and he admits that several of his relatives were members. His older brother, Harold, was a gang member, but managed to keep Jason out of trouble.
"My big brother was a big influence on me," Carter said. "We all knew what he was into, but he didn't want me to follow in his footsteps. He forced me into a different direction. When he was doing his thing, he'd tell me to go play basketball."
So basketball became Carter's escape.
By the time he was in the seventh grade — at 5 feet 7 — he could dunk a basketball. A few years later, he was selected to play on elite-level AAU teams.
"Where I grew up, (basketball) was a way out," he said. "I got to travel with my AAU team and saw what was out there."
But because of uncontrolled and unfortunate circumstances, Carter almost got trapped back in.
During his sophomore and junior years at Horace Mann High in Gary, Ind., Carter did not play basketball after his father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was moved into a care home.
For those two years, Carter lived with a friend's family and struggled with the whole situation.
"I was close-minded back in high school," he said. "I was going through some rough times, and I thought my dream of playing basketball was shot."
But during his senior year, he was spotted dominating a pick-up game and eventually returned to organized basketball with the Horace Mann team.
"When I think back to that time, it's like I've gone from nothing to something," Carter said.
He said the past two seasons at Barton County helped him progress academically and athletically. As a sophomore last season, he led the Cougars with 16.4 points per game, 52 3-pointers and 76 steals. He also contributed 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
He expects similar progress with the 'Bows, who return four starters from last season's record-breaking 27-6 team.
"I think it's going to take me a while to get adjusted to the Division I level," he said. "I know people are expecting a lot out of me and I expect a lot out of myself. I'm not going to slack off."
His father, who is confined to a wheelchair, now lives with another relative in Georgia. The rest of Carter's immediate family now lives in South Bend, Ind.
"We've all moved out of Gary, so it's good," he said. "But every time I talk to my family, I tell them how beautiful it is in Hawai'i and how lucky I feel to be here."
