Tubby Smith looked beyond Paul Carter’s 1-12 shooting Saturday at Minneapolis Community and Technical College and saw a player who will contribute to the future of Gopher basketball. It’s evident that Smith’s plan for returning Minnesota basketball to prominence includes taking under developed talent and using his teaching prowess to develop a skilled player.
Carter’s performance Saturday asked for permission to join that study group. The 6-7 forward and his junior college teammates from Missouri State-West Plains College were in town to play coach Jay Pivec’s Minneapolis Community and Technical College Mavericks. Carter is one of five Gophers who have signed National Letters of Intent to be part of Smith’s first recruiting class. Many in the crowd at MCTC Saturday had come to see Carter, a freshman at the Missouri community college by way of Little Rock. In attendance were Smith, two of his assistant coaches, Gopher players and fans wearing Gopher clothing.
Apparently Carter was nervous about all the attention because he not only made just made one basket, but even air balled a couple of shots. Another indication of his below expectations play were foul problems that had him on the bench including a long stretch after he picked up his fourth foul with less than three minutes gone in the second half.
Carter’s slight physical build (listed at 190 pounds), left handed shooting and athleticism have drawn comparisons to Detroit Pistons star Tayshaun Prince who played for Smith at Kentucky and former Gopher Quincy Lewis, also from Little Rock and a contributor on Minnesota’s Final Four team in 1997. Carter’s coach, Brian Ostermann, has said his star forward could be one of the best junior college players in the country by February. Another knowledgeable source said Carter will be a juco all-American before he joins the Gophers. Earlier this month Carter had been averaging 15 points per game and 9.3 rebounds.
On a bad day, Carter showed a team attitude, not forcing shots, passing to teammates, diving to the floor for a loose ball and encouraging teammates from the bench and the court. He also had eight rebounds in 20 minutes. The good news for Carter was that his team held off a late rally by MCTC and won the game, 56-52.
At halftime Smith talked to Sports Headliners about Carter and other recruits who make up a class receiving national attention. “He’s a leader,” Smith said about Carter. “He’s always talking. He’s always trying to build his teammates up. Make his teammates look better. Things like that and that’s what we need. …”
Smith described Carter as “pretty talented” and despite the poor shooting he liked the young player’s rotation on the ball when he shoots. He predicted Carter will be able to play inside and outside in the Gopher “system.”
The Gophers other junior college player for next season is Devron Bostick, from Southwestern Illinois College. He made juco all-American last season averaging 19.5 points per game and is originally from Racine, Wisconsin. “He’s got to learn to put the ball on the floor but he can shoot with range,” Smith said. “Very physical defensively. Stocky guard that can do many things. I know he puts up some big numbers for his team. …We’re getting a quality person. …I like his attitude as well.”
Ralph Sampson III, 6-11 from Duluth, Georgia, and Colton Iverson, 6-10 from Yankton, South Dakota, will provide much needed size because two of the Gophers three players who are 6-8 or taller are seniors this season. Sampson’s dad Ralph, who starred at Virginia and in the NBA, was 7-4 and athletic. “He (Ralph III) can really run the floor well,” Smith said. “Great hands. Good basketball IQ. Nice touch from about 18 feet… He needs to get more physical but he will with time. He’s picking up weight and getting stronger. …He’s a guy we need right away. …”
The big men wanted right away sign is there for Iverson, too, Smith said. He described Iverson as “a little more physical” than Sampson. He also said Iverson plays with intelligence and effort. “He’s got a nice (shooting) touch,” Smith said. “He’s talented enough to play for us. That’s why we signed him. I didn’t make it this far in college basketball without knowing what I was doing.
“Somebody asked me before what I think about (recruiting) scouting services. I said, ‘well, I am the expert. I don’t think they are.’ I am the expert when it comes to that. We recruit for our needs and we got our needs (filled). And that’s what we’re pleased about at this point and time.”
Smith couldn’t comment on the fifth player, Devoe Joseph from Ontario, Canada, who has signed a letter of intent but whose paper work is being finalized by the University. The Gophers reportedly out recruited Texas and other major schools for the 6-3 shooting guard and point guard. He’s considered a very talented player who may even become the star of Smith’s first recruiting class.