DIFFICULT DECISION
Future NBA first-round pick Carter loved time in Providence
PROVIDENCE — Devin Carter says he didn’t wake up Wednesday morning and arrive at the decision he did – forgoing his final season of eligibility with the Providence Friars in favor of applying for this year’s NBA Draft.
Speaking to the local media after posing for pictures and signing autographs at 110 Grille for nearly an hour Wednesday night, Carter shared that he was honest-to-goodness torn about whether to stay put or take the leap and press forward.
“It was really difficult. There was a lot I wanted to still accomplish. I wanted to win a Big East regular-season title and a Big East Tournament title. Obviously wanted to win in March Madness,” said Carter, “but at this point in my career and how high my stock is, it was the best decision. The only thing I’m going to do is get older. It was the most logical decision that my family came to.”
Carter admitted he still hadn’t arrived at a final decision when he posted #thereturn? on X last week, a social media post that sent Friar fans into a frenzy.
“Our community is so strong,” he said. “There was still the option of returning when I posted that.”
Officially, Carter made up his mind concerning his desire to set his sights on the NBA a few days ago.
“I talked to my [Friar] teammates to see what they thought. None of them wanted me to come. Not because they didn’t want to play with me. It was because they wanted to see me at the next level,” said Carter. “They thought I deserved it. They thought I earned it. They all gave me the okay to take the next step.”
Carter used the phrase “connected quickly” when asked about relaying the news to Friar head coach Kim English, who inherited the talented guard from predecessor Ed Cooley.
“For us to build a relationship that spanned four months before the season … we both knew what was going to happen after the season was over as far as the draft and how my stock was looking,” said Carter. “I talked to [English] about it and he gave me the okay.”
Carter did get a playful phone call from his now-former PC coach after posting his draft announcement.
“I thought you were staying, bro,” said Carter with a smile. “That’s our relationship. It’s been great.”
Carter leaves for Memphis on Thursday and plans to work out with his father Anthony – an assistant with the NBA’s Grizzlies – for a few days. After that, he’s off to California to train for a month before waiting to see if he lands an invite to the draft combine that’s scheduled for May 12-14.
Having a father who’s well versed in NBA life was an important rock that Carter learned upon. At the end of the day, you are your own man with Carter taking that message from his dad to heart.
“He’s always going to be there to support me and have my best interest, but it’s my life,” said Carter.
Before officially closing the college basketball chapter of his life, Carter summed up his time with the Friars with a salute to those who helped make it all possible.
“Not a lot of people get to say they’re declaring for the draft, but my time here was outstanding. Coach Cooley brought me here and Coach Kim and the staff did a great job with me this year,” said Carter. “It’s been great being a Friar.”