RESERVE — Poland was OK, the Czech Republic and France were pretty nice, but Demond “Tweety” Carter says you can’t beat the weather in Israel.

The most prolific scorer in U.S. high school basketball history, thanks to a stellar career at the closed Reserve Christian School, Carter has spent the last seven years trotting around the globe as a player in the European leagues.

Following Carter has been like a geography lesson. He’s been to Israel, Latvia, Croatia, Germany, France, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and, most recently, Poland. Each visit  lasted about a year as he signed one contract after another.

Just last week, Carter, now 30, signed a contract to spend the 2017-18 season playing for the ESSM Le Portel Cote D’Opale team in France.

Carter also knows there is no place like home.

So before he jets off to Europe again, Carter is returning to Reserve to host his inaugural 3-on-3 basketball tournament for boys in ninth through 12th grade from 1 to 4 p.m. June 24 at Riverside Academy, 334 Railroad Ave. in Reserve.

The free event will offer prizes, food, music, giveaways and a raffle.

The first 100 participants will receive everything from T-shirts to bags to water bottles.

The main event, though, is a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for high school aged boys.

The winners will not just get a trophy, they also will get new shoes from Carter, who is funding the entire event without sponsors.

The second place team gets a haircut.

“I wanted to start giving back to the community,” Carter said. “Seeing how the community is developing nowadays, especially in the River Parishes, I wanted to help change it. I want to help some of these kids that really can play sports — not just basketball — to let them know that there’s more to life than just being at home. I wanted, especially, my first one to be at home.

“Me being able to be blessed and make money travelling the world, I wanted to show my appreciation to the people.”

Riverside Academy head basketball coach Timmy Byrd is helping his former player.

“He just wants to give back to the community,” said Byrd, who led the Reserve Christian Eagles to seven state championships before the school closed and he moved over to Riverside. “He’s always thinking of others.”

Most people remember Carter as the diminutive point guard for the one-time powerhouse Reserve Christian Eagles.

“He did some pretty spectacular things, there’s no doubt about it,” Byrd said.

Starting as a seventh grader, Carter scored 7,457 points before he graduated in 2006, still the most by any U.S. high school basketball player.

He set records for the most three-point goals in a single season (287) and scored 74 points in a 114-74 win over East St. John High in 2005.

After being named Louisiana’s Mr. Basketball in 2006, he went on to Baylor and was on the 2009-10 team that went to the Elite Eight for the first time in decades.

His average dropped to 8.7 points as a freshman and finally climbed back up to 15 points as a senior.

Undrafted by the NBA, Carter tested the waters with a few development teams before signing in 2011 with BK Ventpils of Latvia.

It was the first of nine teams he would play for.

He averaged right around 12 points per game last season in Poland.

“I just like to move around a little bit and play in different countries,” he said.

“I always wanted to play professionally somewhere. I’m able to make great money and take care of my family. It’s really been a great opportunity for me. I’m doing well and living well.”

Carter said the game is much different overseas.

“It’s a lot better than people think,” he said. “There’s a lot more energy than you would think. The fans are really into basketball overseas versus the states. The games are really aggressive and a lot more physical than here. We have a lot of support. The games are really fun.”

He also hasn’t changed the way he plays, he said. Only the coaches are different.

“I’ve basically been playing the same way since I left high school,” he said. “I got better, but I’m still shooting the ball, still scoring. Of course it’s a lot different. There are a lot of substitutions and a lot of different things we do. It just depends on the coaches. A lot of guys let me play. Coach Byrd, he let me play. On this level you’ve got to keep a lot of guys happy.  You’ve got to keep your teammates happy.”

The Tweety Carter 3-on-3 basketball tournament is free to enter.

Entry forms can be picked up at 1810 Lee Drive in LaPlace, or call  985-233-6865.

For more information email tweety.29.carter@gmail.com.