Reserve Christian basketball All-American now college-bound

By KEVIN CHIRI

Publisher

RESERVE — Demond &#8220Tweetie” Carter was true to his word.

When the Reserve Christian School all-state basketball player announced a year ago that he would accept a scholarship to play college basketball at Baylor, some people wondered how long the commitment would last.

After all, Carter has a list of accolades as long as the Airline Highway, and is ranked among the top 10 point guards in the nation, in two recognized prep listings. He was recruited by virtually every college in the country, all the way up to the likes of Kansas, Kentucky and others.

But on Thursday morning at RCS, Carter calmly inked his name to the papers which will have him heading to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, next year.

&#8220The people I met when I went to Baylor were so incredible,” he told L’Observateur. &#8220They are so much like the family I have at Reserve Christian. I felt so welcome, and even though I know every school is going to try to act like that, I just knew it was sincere when I went there.”

Carter was still recruited by major colleges, even after he made his verbal commitment a year ago. Calls from schools like Kansas, George Tech and Kentucky came, among others, but he made it clear he was 100 percent settled. On Thursday he followed through on his promise from 2004.

&#8220We are pleased to add Demond Carter to our basketball program,” Baylor head coach Scott Drew said. &#8220Not only is he a nationally ranked recruit, but even more importantly, possesses the high character necessary to represent Baylor University in a positive manner.”

Carter has been a four time all-state player for coach Tim Byrd’s team, leading them to three state championships at Reserve Christian, including the first in school history in 2002 when he started on the team as an eighth grader.

This past season he averaged 32 points a game, and has been listed on numerous All-American basketball prep teams. Besides the all-state honors, has has also been named the Outstanding Player of the Year in Class-B.

At Baylor, he believes he has a chance to help the program turn around and become a national contender, a challenge he said was very influential in his decision.

&#8220I could have gone to other schools that were already successful,” he said. &#8220But I liked the idea of leading a program that turned around. It’s challenging, and that was something I wanted to be a part of.”

Byrd calls Carter &#8220the best player I’ve ever coached” and believes he will be an immediate impact player for the Bears.

&#8220I believe they will become a top five program with Tweetie there,” Byrd said. &#8220And beyond that, I believe the NBA is something that he has a good chance of achieving.”

Even though he has scored over 5,600 points in his career at Reserve Christian, Carter felt like he has a lot to improve on as he heads to the next level.

&#8220What do I have to do to play college?” he responded. &#8220Get better at everything. You can never think you are good

enough at anything, so I am practicing everything to just make it all better.”

He agrees that the NBA remains his number one goal, but for now is focusing on getting ready to do his best at Baylor.

&#8220The one thing that some people may think is working against me is the fact that I’m only 5-10,” he said. &#8220And that isn’t big for Division I point guards. But I am confident I can do well. The key is for me to play my best, without mistakes, and do what it takes for the team to win. I don’t care if I score or not. I could pass out 20 assists and not score, and if we win, I’ll be satisfied.”

Tweetie is the son of Gladys Lumar and step-son of Michael Lumar, and son of Herb Carter and step-son of Demetria Carter.