Burlington (N.J.) Life Center point guard Traci Carter certainly helped himself with his strong play at the HoopHall Classic.
The 6-foot-1 Carter went for 18 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds and 4 steals on Sunday in a 64-50 win over Thon Maker and Orangeville Prep at Springfield College.
Carter’s performance came in front of a slew of high-major coaches, and immediately transformed his already strong recruitment.
“I’ve heard from UConn, N.C. State and Xavier,” Donnie Carr, Carter’s Godfather, told SNY.tv by phone on Wednesday. “All of them were there and they all said they were going to watch him again.”
N.C. State assistant Rob Moxley was at Life Center on Tuesday watching both Carter and 6-6 wing Malik Ellison, who went for 28 points in the Orangeville Prep game.
Xavier has offered Carter, while UConn and N.C. State appear close to offering.
“All of the schools said that they loved what he saw, they thought he played really well and they were intrigued by him,” Carr said.
Life Center coach Pervis Ellison, Malik’s father, said he’d also heard from Georgetown and Virginia for Carter.
Pervis said N.C. State head man Mark Gottfried, along with coaches from Georgetown and UConn, are expected to see Carter on Saturday when Life Center plays at National Christian (Md.). Several schools will also see him Jan. 30 when Life Center visits Cheick Diallo and Our Savior New American.
Pervis said he also expected UConn coach Kevin Ollie and assistant Karl Hobbs to attend a practice to see both Carter and Malik Ellison. The elder Ellison said he’s under the impression that UConn “needs a point guard bad.”
As for Louisville, they have yet to offer, but that could change after Carter takes the standardized test on Saturday, Pervis said.
Meantime, Carr said Seton Hall, Creighton, George Mason, La Salle, Temple had all been working hard prior to this weekend.
Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard and his entire staff watched Carter Saturday evening when he went for or 17 points and 8 assists as Life Center beat MacDuffie (MA), 68-61, at the Big Apple Basketball Invitational at Baruch College.
Carter will take his standardized test this weekend, and after that his recruitment should take another step.
“Traci’s just focused on getting qualified and finishing up the second half of his senior season,” Carr said. “Having a strong finish to the second half of his season.
“We’ll take visits after the season. He’s going to be a spring commit.”
