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TechnographWAR-REN CAR-TER
By Erin Foley
Posted: 11/1/06 Section: Sports
Since putting on an Illinois basketball uniform more than three years ago, Warren Carter has been an instant fan favorite at the Assembly Hall. With his happy-go-lucky personality and reserved manner, head coach Bruce Weber jokes that whenever he asks the Dallas, Texas-native how he's doing, he gets the same answer. Carter always says he's "just chillin'." But there's a reason why the Orange Krush started its "War-ren Car-ter" chant and a reason why kids flock to him.
"He's one of the most likable guys in the country, hands down," said junior forward Brian Randle, who is also Carter's roommate.
During the past three years, the expectations for the senior forward have been anything but sky high. Carter has always been the role player - second tier to players like Deron Williams, Dee Brown and Luther Head. But now in his last year with the Illini, Carter understands that his role this season demands him to be a regular contributor, not just a highlight player.
"I think it's more his team (this year), and he realizes it," Weber said. "One of his goals is to maybe play at another level, play in Europe. You've got to play for us before you can do that; I think that's been a motivating factor."
Towards the end of last season and during the summer, though, motivation was not one of Carter's downfalls. Randle said Carter has blossomed as a senior and has had an optimistic attitude throughout. The strides he has made over the summer could propel him to the forefront of Illini basketball - a place where the team needs him to be if it is going to have success in the Big Ten. Randle said Carter wants to prove himself and that what he did over the summer is confirmation. Carter bench presses nearly 300 pounds now - a significant increase from the 200 pounds he could press when he came to Illinois - and ran the mile in 5:20, second only on the team to sophomore guard Chester Frazier. Not only does Carter have more endurance, but he has put in more time developing his total game.
"He's one of the most likable guys in the country, hands down," said junior forward Brian Randle, who is also Carter's roommate.
During the past three years, the expectations for the senior forward have been anything but sky high. Carter has always been the role player - second tier to players like Deron Williams, Dee Brown and Luther Head. But now in his last year with the Illini, Carter understands that his role this season demands him to be a regular contributor, not just a highlight player.
"I think it's more his team (this year), and he realizes it," Weber said. "One of his goals is to maybe play at another level, play in Europe. You've got to play for us before you can do that; I think that's been a motivating factor."
Towards the end of last season and during the summer, though, motivation was not one of Carter's downfalls. Randle said Carter has blossomed as a senior and has had an optimistic attitude throughout. The strides he has made over the summer could propel him to the forefront of Illini basketball - a place where the team needs him to be if it is going to have success in the Big Ten. Randle said Carter wants to prove himself and that what he did over the summer is confirmation. Carter bench presses nearly 300 pounds now - a significant increase from the 200 pounds he could press when he came to Illinois - and ran the mile in 5:20, second only on the team to sophomore guard Chester Frazier. Not only does Carter have more endurance, but he has put in more time developing his total game.
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