In-Depth with 2022 Chase Carter

2022 Chase Carter was a standout last weekend at the Larry Hughes Elite Camp, displaying a unique skillset that has earned him a handful of offers of the last month. The 6’6” guard who is the son of former Gopher great, Randy Carter plays for one of the best AAU programs in the country in Grassroots Sizzle who may arguably have the most talented roster in the nation. Playing up an age group with the 16’s he feels like it has made him a better player and helped his confidence in his game as well.

The younger Carter certainly has the work ethic and game to compete at the highest level and takes great pride in defending, as it showed last weekend.

Carter has seen his body transform from last summer having grown from 6’0” to 6’6”. Which he has used to evolve his game to being more than just a guard.  “My dad always taught me that you can’t be a one dimensional big, because you’re never going to be the biggest guy on the court always,” explained Carter when talking about evolving his game.

Carter has now transferred from Maranatha Christian Academy to Minnehaha Academy in Minnesota, joining forces with not only Jalen Suggs, Chet Holmgren, and Prince Aligbe but also his father, who is a coach for Minnehaha Academy. He believes it’s a humbling experience to be able to play at Minnehaha Academy with Jalen Suggs who in his opinion the best player in the country. “He’s a real down to earth person and playing around them it really makes me compete because you never want to look like the worst guy on the court when you’re playing.”

“I’m going from a school where I’m playing 30 minutes a game and won’t win as much to a school where I’m going to have to compete and fight for my minutes because they already have Jalen, they already have Chet, and they already have Prince. It’s definitely a transition I have to make to elevate my game.”

Next year Jalen Suggs will be gone, and Carter already knows he’s going to have to step up and make himself standout to dominate with the 17’s.

For now, Carter is focusing on the football season and bringing home another state championship for his school, but that’s not stopping him from thinking about what he’s going to work on to take his basketball game to the next level. “I’ve been working with one of my trainers on my athleticism and speed. I feel skill wise that I can play with anybody, just getting more athletic and being able to play above the rim is just going to take my game to the next level.”

Although Carter is the ideal defensive end with his height and speed, he’s set on playing basketball at the next level even if people think he’s going to be a better football prospect. “Basketball has always been my first love and it’s something that I want to do,” said Carter.

Vanderbilt, Florida, West Virginia, Hampton, and Minnesota have jumped in early on the 2022 prospect by offering him scholarships. “I’ve shown a lot of potential and they want to see me keep growing.” Said Carter regarding their message. With Carter being 2022, he can’t have direct contact with coaches yet but the interest hasn’t stopped as they’ve contacted his dad and his AAU director Brian Sandifer and relayed the same message of watching him grow and mature his game.

The Gophers have been coming at Carter the hardest, “They’re definitely coming at me the hardest. They want to start with me fresh, he’s been recruiting both me and Trejuan Holloman who’s one of my closest friends.”

Illinois and Missouri are in constant contact with Carter as well, while there’s no offer officially from them he does expect one soon from both schools.

“One of my dream schools is Purdue, because of the way they play. They do a great job of showcasing players like me, and they’ve had players who I like to model my game after. Like a Draymond Green type player. I can handle the ball, post up, and play defense. Big Ten basketball is my favorite conference because of the way they play.”

While it’s nothing official, Carter would love to play in college with his best friend Trejuan Holloman. Both Holloman and Carter have ties to the University of Minnesota with Holloman’s mom playing for Minnesota and Carter’s dad playing for the Gophers as well.

Before Minnesota ventured off on their overseas trip, they invited Carter to campus to watch practice. “It felt like home,” said Carter after his visit to practice.

His decision won’t come for some time but staying home and following in his dad’s footsteps is on his mind.

“I’ve always looked up to him and have always wanted to be a Gopher.”