Butch Carter
Encyclopedia
Clarence Eugene "Butch" Carter (born June 11, 1958 in Springfield, Ohio
, United States) is a retired American basketball player and coach of the NBA
. He is the older brother of retired NFL
wide receiver
Cris Carter
.
in Middletown, Ohio
, from 1973–1976, and was named Ohio's "Player of the Year" in 1976.
at Indiana University
from 1976–1980. There, he was notable for hitting the game winning shot in the 1979 NIT
championship game, vs. Purdue, earning him the tournament's MVP award, alongside teammate Ray Tolbert
.
in the 2nd round of the 1980 NBA Draft
. He played a total of six years in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers
(1980–1981), Indiana Pacers
(1981–1984), New York Knicks
(1984–1985), and Philadelphia 76ers
(1985).
He averaged 8.7 points per game
over the six seasons. He held the NBA record for most points in an overtime period (14) for twenty years until surpassed by Earl Boykins
.
From 1986–1988, after leaving the NBA, Carter returned to his alma mater Middletown High School. There, he improved the team from a previous losing record to an (18–3) record. He was acknowledged for this two year turnaround by being named Ohio Basketball High School Coach of the Year. Carter is the only person to be named both Player and Coach of the Year in the state of Ohio.
College
Carter served as an assistant basketball coach at Long Beach State in 1989. From 1990–1991, he was an assistant coach at the University of Dayton
.
from 1991–1996 under Frank Hamblen
(1991) and Mike Dunleavy
(1992–1996). He was promoted to the position of the Bucks scout
in 1996–1997.
under Darrell Walker
. He was promoted to the head coach
position mid-way through the 1997–1998 season after Walker led the team to a franchise low (11–38) record. Carter finished the remainder of the season with a (5–28) record.
During the shortened 1998–99 NBA season
, Carter coached the Raptors to a (23–27) record, improving the team's winning percentage by .308 from the all-time franchise low (16–66) season. The second year also brought upon talent and scoring power from NBA All-Star Vince Carter
, who played his rookie
year on Carter's roster. In the 1999–2000 season
, Carter coached the Raptors to their first winning season, with a (45–37) record, resulting in the team's first playoff
appearance. Carter's turnaround of the Raptors from a franchise-worst dismal (16–66) record to a (45–37) record and a playoff berth in two and a half seasons was a great success. However, the playoff berth was short lived as the Raptors were eliminated in the first round by the Knicks
.
Source: Butch Carter Coaching Record – Basketball-Reference.com
Springfield, Ohio
Springfield is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Clark County. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio and is situated on the Mad River, Buck Creek and Beaver Creek, approximately west of Columbus and northeast of Dayton. Springfield is home to Wittenberg...
, United States) is a retired American basketball player and coach of the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. He is the older brother of retired NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Cris Carter
Cris Carter
Cristopher D. Carter is a former American football player in the National Football League. He played wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles , the Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins ....
.
High school
Carter excelled in basketball at Middletown High SchoolMiddletown High School (Ohio)
Middletown High School is a public high school in Middletown, Ohio. It is the only public high school in the Middletown City School District.-Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championships:...
in Middletown, Ohio
Middletown, Ohio
Middletown is an All-America City located in Butler and Warren counties in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. Formerly in Lemon, Turtlecreek, and Franklin townships, Middletown was incorporated by the Ohio General Assembly on February 11, 1833, and became a city in 1886...
, from 1973–1976, and was named Ohio's "Player of the Year" in 1976.
College
Carter played under Bob Knight as a guardShooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
at Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
from 1976–1980. There, he was notable for hitting the game winning shot in the 1979 NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
championship game, vs. Purdue, earning him the tournament's MVP award, alongside teammate Ray Tolbert
Ray Tolbert
Raymond Lee "Ray" Tolbert is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the New Jersey Nets in the 1st round of the 1981 NBA Draft. A 6'9" power forward from the Indiana University, Tolbert played in five NBA seasons for six different teams...
.
Professional (1980–1986)
Carter was selected by the Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the 2nd round of the 1980 NBA Draft
1980 NBA Draft
The 1980 NBA Draft was the 34th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on June 10, 1980, before the 1980–81 season. In this draft, 23 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
. He played a total of six years in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
(1980–1981), Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
(1981–1984), New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
(1984–1985), and Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
(1985).
He averaged 8.7 points per game
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
over the six seasons. He held the NBA record for most points in an overtime period (14) for twenty years until surpassed by Earl Boykins
Earl Boykins
Earl Antoine Boykins is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA. Standing at 5 feet, 5 inches in height, he is the second shortest player in NBA history behind Muggsy Bogues, who was 5 feet, 3 inches tall. His NBA listed...
.
Amateur (1986–1991)
High schoolFrom 1986–1988, after leaving the NBA, Carter returned to his alma mater Middletown High School. There, he improved the team from a previous losing record to an (18–3) record. He was acknowledged for this two year turnaround by being named Ohio Basketball High School Coach of the Year. Carter is the only person to be named both Player and Coach of the Year in the state of Ohio.
College
Carter served as an assistant basketball coach at Long Beach State in 1989. From 1990–1991, he was an assistant coach at the University of Dayton
University of Dayton
The University of Dayton is a private Roman Catholic university operated by the Society of Mary located in Dayton, Ohio...
.
Milwaukee Bucks
Carter served as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee BucksMilwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
from 1991–1996 under Frank Hamblen
Frank Hamblen
Frank Hamblen is a National Basketball Association coach and scout, and a former college basketball player at Syracuse University. He has served as an interim head coach for two different teams; for the Milwaukee Bucks in 1992 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005...
(1991) and Mike Dunleavy
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.
Michael Joseph Dunleavy is a retired American professional basketball player, former head coach, and former general manager of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. He is the father of Indiana Pacers player Mike Dunleavy, Jr.-Early life:...
(1992–1996). He was promoted to the position of the Bucks scout
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
in 1996–1997.
Toronto Raptors
In the 1997–1998 season, Carter served as an assistant coach for the Toronto RaptorsToronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
under Darrell Walker
Darrell Walker
Darrell Walker is a retired American professional basketball player and coach. At 6'4" and 180 lb , he played as a guard...
. He was promoted to the head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
position mid-way through the 1997–1998 season after Walker led the team to a franchise low (11–38) record. Carter finished the remainder of the season with a (5–28) record.
During the shortened 1998–99 NBA season
1998-99 NBA season
The 1999 NBA season was the 53rd season of the National Basketball Association . Due to a lockout, the season did not start until February 5, 1999 after a new six year Collective Bargaining Agreement was reached between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association...
, Carter coached the Raptors to a (23–27) record, improving the team's winning percentage by .308 from the all-time franchise low (16–66) season. The second year also brought upon talent and scoring power from NBA All-Star Vince Carter
Vince Carter
Vincent Lamar "Vince" Carter is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns. He is a shooting guard who can also play small forward....
, who played his rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
year on Carter's roster. In the 1999–2000 season
1999-2000 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers*Co-Rookies of the Year: Elton Brand, Chicago Bulls; Steve Francis, Houston Rockets*Defensive Player of the Year: Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat...
, Carter coached the Raptors to their first winning season, with a (45–37) record, resulting in the team's first playoff
NBA Playoffs
The National Basketball Association Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament among sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference , ultimately deciding the final four teams who will play in the NBA Conference Finals.-Format:Following the NBA regular season, eight teams in...
appearance. Carter's turnaround of the Raptors from a franchise-worst dismal (16–66) record to a (45–37) record and a playoff berth in two and a half seasons was a great success. However, the playoff berth was short lived as the Raptors were eliminated in the first round by the Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
Coaching record
| Team | |Regular Season | TOR Toronto Raptors The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion... |
1997–98 | 5 | 28 | .152 | 8th in Central Division Central Division (NBA) The Central Division is one of the three divisions in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . The division consists of five teams, the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Detroit Pistons, the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks... |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOR | 1998–99 | 23 | 27 | .460 | 6th in Central Division | ||||||
| TOR | 1999-00 | 45 | 37 | .549 | 3rd in Central Division | 0 | 3 | .000 | 1st round | ||
| 3 seasons | 73 | 92 | .442 | ||||||||
| 0 | 3 | .000 | |||||||||
Source: Butch Carter Coaching Record – Basketball-Reference.com