Big 12 Basketball: Ranking of top 20 overall players since 2000
By Andrew Tineo
9. Jevon Carter – G West Virginia (2014-2018)
Career Stats (4 seasons): 12.2 PPG, 3.9 APG, 2.3 SPG, 80% FT
Maybe the most intimidating defensive guard to come through the league resided in Morgantown over the course of four seasons. Jevon Carter was everything that you would want in a blue collared point guard. He played with tenacity and grit on the defensive end, while also being a gifted offensive player with a lot of upside throughout his career.
Carter in just four games as a freshman, but did the most with his opportunities. He averaged 8.1 points, to go along with 77% from the free throw line and 42% from two-point range. His defensive numbers would be noticed as he selected to the Big 12 All-Defense Team as just a freshman.
Even with his expanded role as a Sophomore being a full-time starter, his numbers were similar to the season prior. The Mountaineers would make the NCAA Tournament, but get upset in the first round by #14 Stephen F. Austin.
Carter’s offensive production would go up another level as a Junior, as well as, his defensive stats. Carter would finish with 13.5 PPG, to go along with 2.5 steals and shooting nearly 39% from beyond the arc. The biggest improvement was his three-point shot, as he raised his percentage from what was 30% the year prior.
His defensive play would earn him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, as well as, NABC Defensive Player of the Year.
As a senior, Carter was a complete player, slashing defenses, as well as, causing a plethora of turnovers. Carter had four games of six or more steals. Notably, he had nine steals against American where he was in the ballpark of having a quadruple-double (20 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 9 steals)
West Virginia’s season would end in the Sweet 16 for the second straight season. However, Jevon Carter’s accolades would not slow down. He was named to Big 12 First Team and won The Big 12 and National Defensive Player of the Year awards again, to add onto new accolades, like a Wooden Award Finalist and 2nd Team All-American.
What was known as “Press Virginia”, it made every team game plan a unique way around Carter. A majority of the time, they were not able to do it well and Carter would make the opponent pay.