Eli Carter, a 6-foot-2 combo guard from Brewster (N.H.) Academy, is Mike Rice’s latest pledge at Rutgers.
A New Jersey native, Carter has lived in Paterson and Willingboro, and will now get a chance to play his college ball in front of his family and friends.
“There is nothing like playing in your home state,” Carter, who plays AAU ball with Sports U, said by text. “My family and friends can watch me play now.”
Carter said he chose Rutgers over TCU, Virginia Tech, Missouri and Providence.
“He chose Rutgers because he has a great relationship with Coach Rice,” St. Anthony assistant Eric Harrield said Friday. “He wanted the opportunity to play in front of his family, particularly his little brother, and be a part of what he feels is becoming a special place.
“He is a Jersey kid and wants to represent Jersey at the state University. He won the biggest game of his high school career there and plans on continuing winning many games there and getting some banners at the RAC.”
Carter initially signed with St. Bonaventure out of St. Anthony before spending a year at Brewster. He won the North Non-Public B title with St. Anthony over Paterson Catholic in 2010 at the RAC.
He joins a five-man recruiting class that includes guards Myles Mack, Jerome Seagears and Malick Kone and big men Gregory Lewis and Derrick Randall. Forward/center Kadeem Jack is already on campus and was a redshirt last season.
Carter is expected to fill the void at shooting created by the losses of Tyree Graham (Achilles’ injury) and Mike Taylor (prep school), and has a good chance to start at the two guard spot.
“You can never have too many shooters,” New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski said. “He gives them another hired gun. Between him and Myles Mack Scarlet Knight basketball is going to become a veritable ‘three for all.’
“He’s a two. He’s not a point guard, he’s a point-scorer.”
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