High-flying Javier Carter's commitment to building on Panama's legacy
Javier Carter is one of the new faces of the Panamanian National Team as they try to qualify for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
PANAMA CITY (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) — For the past two years, the Panama national team has had a powerhouse under the board that has set forth the program’s restructuring. We are referring to Javier Carter, a 27-year-old player born in Cleveland, Ohio and of Panamanian descent on his father's sight. With his six feet and nine inches (2.05 meters) and 225 pounds (102 kilos), he brings stability and versatility to the isthmus squad in the center position.
Carter is a menace in both sides of the court. He is lethal in the pick and roll, has a good wrist for distance shooting and performs in the defense with force and altitude. These abilities, it seems, he inherits from his father Cecilio, who was part of the Panamanian shortlist in the past and who took upon the task of teaching his son the love for his cultural roots.
“I have a lot of family members that live in Río Abajo (in Panama City), in the barrio, so when I was young I learned a lot from my country and I wanted to eventually play with the national team. Now I'm here,” said Carter to FIBA.com.
Since he was 10 years old, Carter started to visit the country and spend time with his grandparents. He developed, among other things, his love for local cuisine, and “carimañolas (meat-stuffed yucca fritters), arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) and the hot sauce” are his favorite dishes”.
After practicing other sports in his teens, like American football and baseball, the tall baller finally focused on basketball at 16 and, subsequently, received a scholarship to play with University of South Alabama at the NCAA's Division I.
With periods in the NBA G League and professional leagues in Germany, France, Spain, Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina, Carter has now set his sights on the Panamanian representation.
“This is my country and because of all its history and Panamanian people I'm very proud of wearing the red sleeveless jersey. I'm happy to play for my country and I think we can make some noise in the world with basketball.”
That noise has already started to resound during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers, where Panama moved forward to the second round after maintaining a three-victory and three-defeat record, with 8.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in average by Carter.
“We learned a lot with with three won and three lost games. We learned how to win, how to play together and how to listen to our coach. Now we're readier for the World Cup,” assured the shooter.
Carter is now part of the plan to renovate the talent of the Panamanian program. A squad that aspires to continue the legacy established by legends such as Ernesto “Tito” Malcom, Mario Butler, Rolando Frazer and Rolando Blackman.
It is a responsibility that the player that resides in Texas — and who had NBA superstar Vince Carter as inspiration because he believed they were related — has taken quite seriously.
“I know that they were outstanding players and I believe that we can do now something very similar to what they did for their country, and I want to do it.”
At the start of this fourth window of the Americas Qualifiers, Carter is convinced that the red, white and blue quintet has the pieces to put together a platform that can qualify to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China.
“I (bring) the experience and the strength. I know how to play. My game style is for the fans and I like to put on a show,” said the explosive dunker. “With the I experience I have and the team we have, I think I can contribute in several aspects — in the defense and in the offense. For us it’s our time to raise the level of basketball in our country.”
Emmanuel Márquez (FIBA)