Chris Carter (190-SG-1992, college: Florida Tech) is a 30 year old 195cm guard that was born in Brooklyn, New York and is from Port St. Lucie, Florida that is playing his 8th professional season and third with the Rostock SeaWolves. He recently was granted the German citizenship.Last season he averaged 8.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 5.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 32.8%, FT: 65.9%. In 2019-2020 he played with the Niners Chemnitz averaging 9.6ppg, 2.0rpg, 5.1apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 66.7%. He also played two seasons with Rasta Vechta. In 2018-2019in the BBL he averaged 4.0ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.4apg. In his first season with Rasta Vechta he helped the club move from the Pro A to the easyCredit BBL winning the Pro A title averaging 11,0ppg,3,4rpg and 5,3apg and shot 40% from outside. In 2016-2017 he played for BV Chemnitz 99 (Germany-ProA) playing 40 games averaging 12.4ppg, 4.2rpg, Assists-4 (5.7apg), Steals-4 (2.1spg), FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 73.4%. As a rookie he played for Bipa Basket Odessa (Ukraine-SL Favorit Sport) playing 32 games averaging 14.0ppg, 4.7rpg, 5.0apg, Steals-1 (2.2spg), FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 77.3%. He started his basketball career at Air Force (NCAA) and then played the last three years of school at Florida Tech (NCAA2) and as a senior played 21 games averaging 14.0ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.8apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 75.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a easyCredit BBL game against the Fraport Skyliners.
Thanks Chris for talking to germanhoops.com. You have now spent your 7th Christmas in Germany. Does the whole German X-mas feeling and culture feel different now that you have the German Citizenship?
No,not much has changed for me but I try to enjoy the holidays as much as I can.
What have you enjoyed the most in general about the German Christmas culture since you arrived in 2016 and what do you miss the most about the traditional American Christmas?
The Christmas markets are really cool out here and I guess I miss the food.
Your playing your third season with the Rostock SeaWolves. Does your love for the SeaWolves grow with every new season? How special is this organization?
I helped make history here so it’s special for sure.
How cool is it in general making the easyCredit BBL tour from city to city. 10 years ago the team was a Regionalliga team and now it plays against FC Bayern Munich?
It is pretty cool how far the organization has came.
The Rostock SeaWolves began with a blast winning it’s first 4 games. Did that start surprise you a bit? Was it more teams underestimating you or you as a team playing brilliant?
I think we have a good team with really good talents who believe they are just as good as the next team. I was happy with the team but not surprised.
Was the quick start of 4-0 more a positive thing then maybe starting slower? How important was the 5 game losing streak?
Basketball has ups and downs and teams go through injuries and adversity along the way. It was a learning curve we had to go through because there were a few games that could have went either way.
In the 4 game winning streak you were wining shoot outs and not defending great. In the 5 game losing streak still giving up many points but not scoring as much resulting in loses. Why hasn’t the team found a defensive identity yet and what does it need to do better to start giving up less points?
We are a fast pace team so of course we will give up points. But I think we play good defense as a collective and still getting better day by day.
Soon you will play FC Bayern Munich at home. I can imagine that will be the greatest highlight in the history of the club after Tyler Nelson’s buzzer beater? Do you imagine the Wolves den being the loudest ever?
I’m sure it will be a good atmosphere in the arena.
You will be playing your second time in Frankfurt in the easyCredit BBL. It could be the last season against Quantez Robertson. When all is said and done, shouldn’t he get a mural or a plaque in Frankfurt the same way Rickey Paulding did in Oldenburg?
Yeah he has done a lot for the program and it would be well deserved.
You have many special teammates. What has it been like playing with Derrick Alston. Did you think in training camp that he could be leading the BBL in scoring right away?
He is a standout player that gives a lot of problems in his position. I knew he would be one of the top scorers because I see it every day. He works hard too.
He has big aspirations for the NBA. Do you see chances that he can make that step in the future via Europe?
For sure.
How vital has Selom Mawugbe been for the stability under the basket? With Nijal Pearson, Rostock has very important guys.
Selom and Nijal give us a strong defensive presence and are asked to do a lot for the team every night.
How vital has Jequan Lewis been for the success. Could he become one of the premier point guards in the BBL with more experience in the league?
He is premier point guard in this league no doubt about it. He proves it every day.
How key was the pick up of experienced Elias Valtonen? Could he become a sort of vital energizer?
Yes he is a very high IQ player with good size that gives us good stability.
Your 30 years old now and turning 31 in May. How do you feel as your in your 30’s. Could you imagine still playing at Quantez Robertson’s age who recently turned 38?
I feel really good. I still have a lot of good years in the tank. I hope my body can last that long but that is special.
Your averaging 14 minutes In the BBL and 3 minutes more in Vechta. The situation wasn’t great in Vechta for you, but how is it in Rostock? I guess you can’t complain that much because the Rostock guard rotation is very strong?
I’m working hard every day. It’s a new role and I am just trying to embrace it and stay ready whenever my name is called and produce.
Is your role as a point guard a little different than usual because your playing less minutes than in the Pro A with Rostock? Are you focusing on other things then last season on the court? Is being effective even more important than usual?
Yes I mean the higher up in leagues you go chances are you won’t always be the best player at your position. But yes with less minutes than in Pro A I have to be aggressive but also make the right reads and play solid defense.
How big is your experience this season in the easyCredit BBL. The team has younger Germans. How specifically do you help less experienced guys on the court? Are there any things that you focus most on that helps players?
Just trying to bring a winning mentality to the team and always being a leader and putting in the extra work that is required. Hopefully it rubs off.
Did you make any new Years resolutions for 2023?
Just to be the best player and person I can be.
Who won a 1-1 last season in practice you or Jordan Roland?
We never played.
Where do you rank Steph Curry now with the best point guards of all-time?
Top 5.
Thanks Chris for the chat.
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