Anthony Carter to be inducted into CCCMBCA Hall of Fame

(story c/o CCCMBCA)

Former Saddleback star Anthony Carter will be inducted into the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Association (CCCMBCA) Hall of Fame next Month. His path to basketball greatness was a long shot.

Born in Milwaukee, Carter grew up in Atlanta and played as a freshman on the varsity team at Alonzo A. Crim High School. However, after his freshman year, Carter quit high school. In the years following, Carter spent his time playing basketball for money on the streets of Atlanta.  He used the money to buy shoes and food, helping provide the bare essentials for his family.

Carter arrived at Saddleback College and quickly stood out. As a freshman he averaged 19.4 points. By his sophomore year everyone knew his name. He led the state in scoring, averaging 27.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3 steals. He had a season-high 44 points.

A 6-1, 185-pound guard, Carter went on to become a two-time most valuable player in the Orange Empire Conference, considered the elite conference in the state during that time. A member of Saddleback College's Hall of Fame, Carter signed with the University of Hawaii where he became part of the best backcourt in Rainbow history from 1996 to 1998.

He went to play 13 years in the NBA despite being undrafted free agent with Miami. Carter spent the first four seasons of his playing career with the Heat, appearing in 246 regular season games (80 starts) and averaging 5.5 points, 4.3 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.06 steals and 22.2 minutes. His 1,063 assists as a member of the Heat rank in the top 15 on the franchise's all-time list. Carter also helped Miami earn a pair of postseason appearances. His playing career which spanned 623 career games (181 starts) and included stops in Miami, San Antonio, Minnesota, Denver, New York and Toronto.

Many New York Knick fans remember him as the guy who came out of nowhere to beat their team at the buzzer in Game 3 of the 2000 Eastern Conference semifinals. After concluding his playing career, Carter became an assistant coach with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in 2016. Today, he serves as the Miami Heat's director of Player Development.