Ron Carter (basketball)

Ron Carter
Carter in 2019
Personal information
Born (1956-08-31) August 31, 1956 (age 68)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolPerry Traditional Academy
(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
CollegeVMI (1974–1978)
NBA draft1978: 2nd round, 26th overall pick
Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers
Playing career1978–1980
PositionShooting guard
Number15, 13
Career history
1978–1979Los Angeles Lakers
1980Indiana Pacers
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Ronald Carter Jr. (born August 31, 1956) is a retired American basketball shooting guard. He played college basketball at the Virginia Military Institute.

Early years

Carter attended Perry Traditional Academy. He accepted a basketball scholarship from the Virginia Military Institute. He contributed to the school winning two Southern Conference championships (1975–76 and 1976–77). In the NCAA basketball tournament, he led his team to the Elite Eight (1976) and the Sweet 16 (1977).

As a senior, he set school records with 45 points scored in a single-game (against Long Beach State College), 19 free throws made in a single-game (against Siena College), and an average of 26.3 points per contest during the season. He averaged 19.2 points (third in school history), 6.9 rebounds per game and had sixty 20+ scoring games (school record) during his career.[1]

He was a three-time All-SoCon and All-tournament selection. He was a two-time Southern Conference Player of the Year and the SoCon tournament's Most Outstanding Player (1976). He finished his college career as the tenth-highest scorer in conference history (2,228 points).

Carter was the first athlete in school history to have his jersey retired (#13).[2] In 1989, he was inducted into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame. He was named to the Southern Conference's 75th Anniversary third-team Men's Basketball Team. In 2018, he was inducted into the Southern Conference Hall of Fame.[3]

Professional career

Carter was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2nd round (26th pick overall) of the 1978 NBA draft, becoming the first Virginia Military Institute player to be drafted and to play in the league. He appeared in 46 games under head coach Jerry West. He averaged 3.1 points per game and was waived on October 4, 1979.[4]

On November 15, 1979, he signed as a free agent with the Indiana Pacers.[5] He played in 13 games and averaged 2.5 points. He was cut on December 5. On February 15, 1980, he was re-signed as a free agent by the Indiana Pacers.[6] He was released on February 25.

On September 15, 1983, he attempted a comeback and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.[7] He was released on October 24.[8]

Post-playing career

After his basketball career, Carter was the director of economic development for the Chicago Housing Authority, a consultant to the Gary, Indiana Housing Authority, and city manager of Benton Harbor, Michigan.[9][10][11]

Personal life

Carter has 4 children: sons Ronald and Paul, and daughters Bria and Brooke. Ronald III was a 2-time NCAA All-American triple jumper while attended California State University, Long Beach. Paul played collegiate basketball at the University of Illinois at Chicago and played professionally in Europe.[12]

References

  1. ^ "VMI basketball legend Ron Carter elected to SoCon hall of fame". Augusta Free Press. March 28, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "Jersey Retirement Ceremony Set for VMI's Reggie Williams". Virginia Military Institute. September 1, 2010. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "Basketball Legend Ron Carter Elected to SoCon Hall of Fame". Virginia Military Institute. March 28, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  4. ^ "Lakers waive Carter". The San Bernardino County Sun. October 5, 1979. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  5. ^ "Carter Joins Slick's 'Solid' Pacers". The Indianapolis Star. November 16, 1979. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "Pacers dump Chenier, ink Carter". The Daily Reporter. February 16, 1980. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  7. ^ "Basketball". Arizona Republic. September 16, 1983. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "Lakers waive Carter, reduce roster to 15". The San Bernardino County Sun. October 25, 1983. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  9. ^ "CHA Tries to Get Its Unemployed Going". Chicago Tribune. May 2, 1996. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  10. ^ Olivo, Antonio (January 6, 2012). "Questions raised about Leon Finney Jr.'s Woodlawn Organization". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  11. ^ Goodenow, Evan (December 30, 2009). "New city manager's agenda is aggressive". The Herald-Palladium. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  12. ^ Ryan, Shannon (August 28, 2010). "Carter's transfer to UIC all about family". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2021.