West Virginia Basketball: Jevon Carter named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
By Phil Poling
Jevon Carter was named the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year on Sunday for the second consecutive season.
The West Virginia Mountaineers have been more “Stress Virginia” than “Press Virginia” this season, but senior guard Jevon Carter has done everything in his power to keep things on track. He’s been a constant catalyst for the team, leading them in scoring, assists and of course – steals.
He’s tallied 89 this season and recorded three or more steals in 17 games. In his best statistical game, Carter made nine steals against American back in November. However, none of this is new to Mountaineer fans.
The Illinois native is West Virginia’s all-time leader in steals and is currently second all-time in the Big 12 in steals, trailing only Cookie Belcher (Nebraska, 1997-2001). He’s 48 steals shy of breaking the record, but with a deep run in both the Big 12 and NCAA Tournament’s anything is possible.
Carter was named the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year last season, along with collecting Defensive Player of the Year honors from the NABJ and Lefty Driesell. He’s also been named to the Big 12’s All-Defensive team for the fourth year in a row.
This is what greatness looks like.
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Carter is an excellent perimeter defender, frustrating his opponents game-in and game-out. But he’s got something behind him he’s never really had before: a true shot-blocker.
Sophomore big man Sagaba Konate has made life easier for Carter, swatting shots at the rim like clockwork. This type of force around the basket gives Carter more leeway to gamble – on his man, in the passing lanes and on drives to the basket. Rarely is Carter ever caught out of position, but it does happen occasionally. And Konate’s always there to contest the shot, often creating posters of himself that other’s would be the victim on.
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Jevon Carter and the Mountaineers are back in action Thursday in their opening game of the Big 12 Tournament. Facing off against Baylor, the ‘Eers look to stay undefeated against the Bears this season.