Panther Basketball Alumnus Wins On and Off the Court Overseas
In addition to his athletic success, Chris Carter has learned a new language and published a children’s book.
By Christina Hardman
It was a big year for Chris Carter ’15.
In 2022, the business administration and men’s basketball alumnus learned German, passed a citizenship test, got engaged, wrote a book in two languages and won a championship as captain of the Rostock Seawolves, a team in the German ProA basketball league.
After Carter graduated from Florida Tech, where he played three seasons, making the Sunshine State Conference tournament every year he was a Panther, he signed his first professional contract with BIPA Odessa of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague, the top level of basketball in Ukraine.
He joined Sports Club Rasta Vechta, also of the ProA league, for two seasons in 2017–18 and 2018–19. He helped the club win the ProA championship and move up to the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), the top division of German professional basketball.
In 2019–20, Carter was a member of the Niners Chemnitz team, which he helped lead to a league-best 25-2 record before the season was cut short due to COVID-19. From there, he joined the Seawolves.
“I have to credit much of my success to Florida Tech,” Carter says. “Playing under coach [Billy] Mims gave me the opportunity to not only learn from a former pro coach and understand that coaching style, but to also learn from a leader. The leadership skills he taught me have stayed with me during my pro career.”
On May 21, 2022, Carter led the Seawolves to victory over the Tigers Tübingen in the ProA championship, advancing the team to the BBL.
“I have been through a lot during my career, but even at 30 years old, I still feel like I’m going into my prime,” Carter says. “There is definitely still a lot of basketball left for me.”
Basketball, among other things.
Having spent virtually all of his adult life living abroad, surrounded by different languages, Carter sees athletics as a bridge between cultures. This, paired with his lifelong ability to connect with young people, led Carter to writing Ivy.
A children’s chapter book available in English and German, Ivy is about a young woman who, through hard work, perseverance and dedication, overcomes numerous obstacles to become a professional basketball success—not unlike Carter’s own story.
“I am so proud of Chris and all that he has achieved in his professional career since leaving Florida Tech,” Mims says. “What an amazing year it has been for him!”
“He is one of our all-time greatest players and one of the finest young men I’ve ever had the pleasure to coach. Chris Carter is an outstanding ambassador for Florida Tech and truly is the epitome of being a Panther for life.”
This piece was featured in the winter 2023 edition of Florida Tech Magazine.
