Frank Martin’s ties to South Florida could prove beneficial to him once again as he hopes to land 6-4 Devin Carter of Doral, FL. The high scoring guard, and son of former NBA guard and current Miami Heat Director of Player Development Anthony Carter, is strongly considering USC as he prepares to make his commitment announcement Friday afternoon according to his coach at Doral Academy Jorge Fernandez.
California, East Carolina, College of Charleston, Georgia Tech, FAU, FIU, Georgia and Notre Dame are some of the others who have been recruiting Carter. Fernandez said Martin and assistant coach Chuck Martin have pushed hard to get Carter into their program.
“I know that he likes South Carolina a lot, I know he really does,” Fernandez said. “I know he likes Coach (Frank) Martin a lot. Frank has been down here. Me and Frank have a relationship from the past. Coach Chuck Martin also has been down here to see him. They really like him a lot. He not only likes the state of South Carolina, but gives him the opportunity to play in the SEC also. That’s always been intriguing to him also.”
Fernandez said Carter would be a good fit in the Gamecock program and would be well suited to deal with Martin’s in-your-face, demanding style of coaching that emphasizes defense first.
“I kind of coach the same way in a lot of ways like Frank,” Fernandez said. “I demand a lot on defense. We play mostly all man to man. The other thing that helps South Carolina too, with his dad working with the Miami Heat, Udonis Haslem played for Frank in high school down here. And you’ve got (Chris) Silva down here. His dad was a big fan of Silva. When I brought up Devin to Frank, I told Devin’s dad, why don’t you to those two guys. You see them every day in practice with the Heat. make sure you understand what’s Frank about. They raved about Frank. They know he’s demanding, but they also know he’s going to make you a better player. You buy in and you work hard, he’s a great coach to play for. He gets young kids and he makes them men, and he holds them accountable. If it is the Gamecocks, I think he’ll be fine.”
Fernandez said Carter is a big-time scorer who has averaged 30 points per game for him in his two seasons at the school since moving in from Colorado. He’s been named All-State and the county player of the year both seasons. He missed the last six games of this past season with a labrum injury that required surgery. Fernandez called it a “minor” injury and Carter is well on his way to a full recovery through his rehab sessions.
If Carter does choose USC, it’s possible he won’t arrive in Columbia until the summer of 2021. Currently, the Gamecocks do not have a scholarship available for 2020. Fernandez said Carter fully understands the situation with the Gamecock roster and plans are being made to deal with that.
“I think he’s going to go to prep school first, I think that’s the way things are looking,” Fernandez said. “He’s considering IMG (FL), Brewster Academy (NH), Vermont Academy. That’s in the works right now. The plan is probably go to a prep school and be part of the class for the following year.”
That plan, of course, could change if he chooses USC and a roster spot opens up for 2020, or he chooses one of the other programs that does have room for him now. Gamecock guard AJ Lawson, who may be considering the NBA Draft, has until April 26th to announce for that.
Carter is rated a three-star prospect in the 247Sports composite. He’s ranked the #41 shooting guard nationally and the #18 prospect in Florida.
