Robert Carter: "Wants to be part of an unforgettable season in the Herzliya people" | Israel today

At the beginning of the summer, when they sat down in Herzliya to plan the squad for the new season after a historic season for them, they marked the cup holder with two main goals - to maintain the skeleton that led to success, and to be able to fill the large void left behind by the outstanding player of the league in the past season, center Chinano Onwako. 

Many names were offered to the Blues throughout the hot summer months, some of them flashy and familiar to Israeli basketball fans, but the professional team led by Oren Aharoni preferred to wait for the right moment, and the right player.

The one chosen for the task is American center Robert Carter, who has an impressive past in the powerful Turkish and Italian leagues.

In his first interview in Israel and exclusive to Israel Hayom, Carter talks about the beginning of his professional career in Atlanta, the time in Turkey, the severe corona restrictions and life in Japan, the expectations for the upcoming season, the games at home alongside Anthony Edwards and also about the big shoes he is stepping into.

how was your summer

"Great. I was at home in Atlanta with my family, training and preparing for the season."

What do you think of Israel so far?

"A beautiful country and warm people. I come from Atlanta and the weather here suits me very well."

How did you start playing basketball?

"I've been playing basketball for as long as I can remember. At the age of 3 my father gave me a ball and started teaching me the secrets of the game. He was a professional player himself and that helped me."

Carter.

"Israel? A beautiful country and warm people", photo: Udi Tsitiat

Tell us a little about yourself.

"I came from a small town in the state of Georgia in the United States. I am a very family person, an amateur fisherman and quite a simple and ordinary person."

You played at a big college like Georgia Tech.

What did you learn from this experience?

"They taught us there how important it is to work hard if you want to be a professional and make a career in this field. You have to love the game and work hard."

When you were told that you had an offer from a group in Israel, were you surprised?

"No. It's a market and a league I knew. I previously talked with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem but it didn't work out over the years for many reasons. This summer everything worked out for me and coming to Herzliya felt very right to me. I'm already looking forward to the start of the season and want to do great things here."

You used to play for Brandisi from the Italian league.

What was the experience like playing in this league?

"I was there in my rookie season and I learned a lot from it. Brandisi is a very small city in southern Italy, I got to learn a lot there and I had a good time."

Carter.

"You have to love the game and work hard", photo: Udi Citiat

You were one of the leading centers in the Turkish league.

How would you describe this league?

"A very tough league. The Euroleague teams there play at a very high level and the competition there is not easy. I liked it very much."

After several good seasons in Europe you decided to move to Japan.

why?

"More than anything I like playing basketball. I wanted an opportunity to play basketball in different places in the world and Japan was an opportunity for me and a different kind of experience. So far my career has led me to play in Asia, Europe and the United States and I enjoy it."

What are your expectations for the upcoming season?

"Last season, Herzliya pleasantly surprised many people and exceeded all expectations and I want to help them do it again. I want to be part of a special, unforgettable season."

You played in Japan during the period of the Corona closures in the world.

How was this period for you?

"It was very difficult to enter the country if you are a tourist, I felt it less because I stayed there. I didn't see my family for a long time and that was the real difficulty, in terms of basketball throughout the whole period there were fans in the courts as usual."

How is the level of basketball in Japan?

"People tend to underestimate this league but it's not justified in my opinion. The level there is good and because there are only two or three foreigners in each team you have to work much harder and be a significant part every night."

What do you as a player bring to the field?

"I'm a very versatile player. My goal is always to make the game easier for my teammates. I'm a versatile center and that's not something you see everywhere. I can maintain several positions, pass and also lead the ball if needed."

You talked about versatility.

You can play as a center and a power forward, what is your favorite position?

"For me, the most important thing is that the ball goes into the basket. My father always educated and trained me to be diverse, even though I was a big guy, he never told me 'you will only play as a center'. I learned to play also as a ball carrier and scored thanks to him."

Carter.

"For me, the main thing is that the ball goes into the basket", photo: Udi Tsitiat

The past season was very successful for Herzliya, the team won the cup.

How will you maintain it?

"A successful season is always the goal. I understood that the previous season was one of the best in the history of the club. You never know how the season will end but you can come, work hard and be ready."

This year Herzliya will play in the FIBA ​​Champions League. Are you ready for the challenge?

"Of course. I think this is a great opportunity for the team and the young society here to develop, play at a high level and gain important experience at the European level. We will compete and come to represent Herzliya and Israel in the best possible way."

What do you think of the squad built here?

"This team already showed last season where it can go, now we have a new season and new challenges. We will come to every game and try to win, that is the essence of sport."

What will the fans see from you this year?

"A player who loves the game, and comes every time with the goal of winning. Training or playing, I take pride in victories. I believe the fans will like what they see of me."

What do you think is the ceiling for this team?

"I'm a person who likes to think and dream big, so I don't believe in a certain limit for the team. We will come to every game with the goal of winning it."

Who is the best player you played with?

"I played in Atlanta in the summer with Anthony Edwards. He is the best player I played next to. He has no limitations, he can do everything on the field."

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