June 18, 2014
Sampson Carter, Massachusetts, Senior, 6'8 220lbs
2013/14 stats: 27.9 mpg, 10.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.2 apg, 0.5 spg, 0.4 bpg, 1.8 TOpg, 2.3 fpg, 41.5% FG, 35.0% 3PT, 70.2% FT
Carter is a late bloomer who did not bloom all that spectacularly, but who did round into a useful contributor as an upper classman. Even then, however, he never quite found what he was best at, standing a very long and intriguing 6'8 with decent athleticism to boot but with underdeveloped skills that left the Minutemen always wanting more.
One area of Sampson's game that did develop throughout his career was the spot-up three point shot. Not to any great heights, of course - 35% is decent but not eye-catching, especially on this list, and on a sample size of only three attempts per game, it is an outlier until otherwise. It is however a marked improvement on the 21.4%, 13.8& and 19.5% of his first three seasons - going from a non-shooter to a passable shooter gave Carter some semblance of a consistent role in the
Chaz Williams-driven halfcourt offense, at least.
Even with the improvement in the spot-up three, however, it would be a great leap to call Carter a shooter. He cannot shoot off of the dribble, for one, and there is no mid-range shot of note to speak of. He also does not do much work to get open in the way that a spot-up shooter ought, and his attempts are more opportunistic than designed.
Beyond the occasional wing spot-up shot, Carter's offense is largely limited to transition opportunities and dunks. There is the occasional drive from the arc, fuelled by a long stride, but there is no post-up play to speak of, and in being so slender, Carter is readily bumped off both the spot and the shot. For this reason, Carter avoids contact, which is also a problem defensively. A finesse player with limited handle and without elite athleticism is quite the enigma.
What is left, then, is a perimeter player still with questions about his shot, but who cannot throw an entry pass, drive the lane, or handle slashers on the defensive end. Carter would be an intriguing sophomore, but five years in, quite a bit more growth is needed.
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