Pittsburgh Panthers star Carlton Carrington told the media he will be able to guard three positions in the NBA. Carrington is officially entering the NBA Draft after just one season at Pitt.
Pitt Star Optimistic on Chances Against NBA Opponents
Pitt star Carlton Carrington told Hoopshype.com that he felt that his defense would be the main driving point for him as the NBA Draft nears.
“I feel like my defense is so underrated. I can really guard, but it’s not really talked about,” Carrington said. I’m not a flashy defender. I’m not going to make extreme plays, but if you need someone to stop a scorer, I’m the one to do that.”
Carrington made a positive impression at the NBA Draft Combine, showing positive signs of shooting and athleticism in activities. He ranked well above average in both the 3/4-court sprint and max vertical jump. Carrington weighs in as a late first-rounder according to mock drafts from ESPN‘s Jonathan Givony.
“Carrington measured well in Chicago — 6-foot-5 in shoes, 195 pounds, and a 6-8 wingspan — impressive numbers considering he won’t turn 19 until July 21,” Givony wrote. He ranked him #22 of his top 100 prospects. “He shot the ball well in drills but left something to be desired at his slow-paced pro day. Carrington has NBA fans already late in the lottery thanks to his combination of size, shot-making prowess, and passing creativity.
He will keep his name in the draft and forgo his three remaining years of eligibility at Pitt. Carrington averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on 41/32/79 shooting splits. He was named to the ACC’s All-Freshman Team.
“Someone asked me what position I play, and I said point guard. But that’s not all I’m limited to,” Carrington said. “I feel like the biggest part of my game is my versatility. I can play one, two, and three sometimes, so it doesn’t matter to me. As long as I can be on the court, I can contribute.
Carrington Is An Exciting Option In Draft
Carrington is a prospect with an immense amount of potential and promise for the future. His production for Pitt has been astounding. He had a triple-double in his first-ever college game, a blowout win over North Carolina A&T. He has a polished jumper and can create for himself off the dribble. Although he saw difficulties in his shooting midway through the shooting, he showed at the Combine that he was more than able to knock down threes with ease.
Carrington is also a skilled floor general with a solid vision and capable of making plays for his teammates. Part of it is thanks to his massive six-foot-six frame and six-foot-nine wingspan, but he also has the makings of a player who can completely orchestrate an entire NBA offense like he did at Pitt.
Carrington attracts comparisons to Shaun Livingston thanks to his reliable mid-range jumper and playmaking potential. Teams like the Suns (with the #22 pick) or the Cavaliers (with #20) looking for another dependable playmaker to tie their offense together could look at Carrington with their first-rounder.
“I would say understanding the game from a different perspective. Coming from a high school league where I didn’t have to really think through plays like, you know, I just get the ball and score,” Carrington said when asked about his biggest area of growth. “Now, I really think about the game. I have a 25-year-old that can shoot, and a 21-year-old that can catch. It’s about understanding different roles and how to maneuver with an older team. Obviously, that’s what I have to get used to trying to get to this next level.”
