This is the final “Meet the Jays” segment featuring the 2009-2010 Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball players. The Bluejays begin their season today against Dayton without the following senior, Justin Carter.
Justin Carter began his Creighton career last season with a little more hype than previous JUCO players brought in by Dana Altman. For many transfers, it takes time to adjust to Altman’s way of doing things, the complex offensive and defensive sets, etc. Usually, you’ll see JUCO transfers begin to blossom as Missouri Valley Conference play kicks into full gear. Carter was different. While it still him some time to adjust — he played his best basketball as the season wore on — he started every game of his first season at CU, becoming the first newcomer to do so since Ryan Sears.
Carter adjusted to the style of play quickly. Though he was slowed a little bit by an Achilles injury early in the season against Oral Roberts, Justin pushed on and played through it, slowly recovering until about the start of conference season. Deep into the conference season, Justin continued to raise his game, getting key rebounds, scoring points when needed, and building even more confidence with his coaches and teammates.
Ahead of his senior season, Carter spent the summer taking part in the team’s new strength and conditioning training program and establishing a leadership role. He told us at Creighton Media Day about taking this role.
“Yes, sir. Last year I just came in trying to be as strong as everybody. This year as a senior, I think I am becoming more of a leader.”
Unfortunately, the start to Carter’s final season at Creighton will be a bit delayed, thanks to a knee injury. He’s lucky he isn’t out for the season, though, after suffering a partial tear in his MCL during the final exhibition game against Nebraska-Omaha. When he went down everyone in the arena feared the worst; the scene was quite and eerie. The good news is his timetable to return to the court is about 2-4 weeks. So he will have to be a cheerleader from the sidelines early against competition like Dayton and Arkansas-Little Rock.
If everything goes as it should, Cater will get an opportunity for a homecoming of sorts this season. He grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and on December 12, the Bluejays will visit George Mason in Fairfax, Virginia. Family and friends will make the 30 minute drive to see Carter come home.
“They are pretty excited, friends from high school hitting me up with e-mail’s and with texts just to see if they can get tickets so they can see me play. I’m very excited to go back and they can all see me live and in person.
Carter may have been anointed by teammates and others outside the program as the leader of this team, but Justin sees other leaders in his teammates as well, which will be important on and off the court:
“I would say everybody, but honestly I think P’Allen [Stinnett] carries us as well as any other senior. If anyone can give us anything I think it is P’, with him growing up this summer and how he can make plays for our team.”
Although Carter is only a two-year player in the Creighton program, he is making an impact just as much as a four-year veteran. Hopefully he will have some nice opportunities to add to his short career at Creighton this season.