The numbers behind Cam Carter’s hot start

Anticipation surrounded the beginning of the season, especially for Kansas State guard Cam Carter, whom I predicted would be a standout player for the team.

While Carter showed promise last season by averaging 6.5 points per game, I believed he had the potential to reach new heights, and he’s proven me right so far.

Through three games, Carter has nearly surpassed his potential.

Carter is making waves, averaging an exceptional 19 points per game for the Wildcats and impressively shooting 41.7 percent from beyond the arc. He has undeniably been K-State’s top performer and deserves consideration for a spot on the Big 12 All-Conference team. A stretch perhaps? Maybe, especially since only three games have been played, two of which were against mid-major programs.

Nevertheless, Carter’s performance has been nothing short of outstanding for the Wildcats.

In K-State’s victory over South Dakota State, Carter showcased his prowess as an efficient scorer, solid defender, and unexpected playmaker.

His game exuded brilliance as he seamlessly transitioned from offense to defense, holding South Dakota State’s Zeke Mayo to just 11 points.

“I know Cam had a career-high, but I was more pleased with what he did on the defensive end,” remarked head coach Jerome Tang. “[Zeke] Mayo was averaging 28 coming in and he’s a heck of a player. And some of it was him missing shots he normally made, but a lot of it was Cam really being locked in on that.”

Carter limited Mayo to an offensive rating of 80, significantly lower than his usual performance. Last season, Mayo had a stretch of 12 games with an offensive rating above 100, making Carter’s defensive impact even more notable.

While excelling in defense, Carter’s calling has remained on offense.

He currently boasts a usage rate of 28.5 percent, significantly higher than last season’s 15 percent. It’s evident that K-State’s offense is increasingly reliant on Carter, a clear sign of the coaching staff’s enhanced confidence in him.

With this expanded role, Carter’s efficiency has also surged. His 25-point career-high on 6-of-12 shooting and a 50 percent three-point success rate demonstrate his multi-dimensional prowess on the court.

Carter has consistently demonstrated his shooting capabilities, providing K-State with high-quality, well-executed plays. His true shooting percentage of 54.1 percent not only surpasses his previous season’s performance (48.6%) but also sits above the national average.

Moreover, Carter has not only excelled in scoring but has also become a more effective playmaker for his teammates. Last season, his playmaking ability was subpar, but his increased scoring this year has enabled him to create opportunities for others.

“The good thing for Cam is, as he’s locked in on scoring, and that’s what we want him to do, and I don’t want him to think about making plays,” Tang explained. “Then, the playmaking becomes easier because the guys who are open are like wide open.”

While turnovers haven’t been entirely eradicated from Carter’s game, they have become more manageable. The coaching staff will undoubtedly appreciate the six assists to two turnovers ratio Carter achieved against South Dakota State.

In short, yes.

While Carter may not maintain a 25-point-per-game average once Arthur Kaluma and Nae’Qwan Tomlin potentially return, his success is not solely dependent on receiving the ball more frequently.

His impressive start is rooted in sustainable increases in comprehending his role and identifying good shots within it. Even as his usage declines, his efficiency figures are likely to remain consistent.

This bodes well for K-State, as they will undoubtedly benefit from Carter’s “depth scoring,” a critical factor that may have contributed to their early exit from the NCAA Tournament last year.

Now, they can rely on Carter for a more stable offensive presence.

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