Carlton Aaron
Encyclopedia
Carlton Aaron is an American
professional basketball
player who most recently was signed to the Guildford Heat
in the British Basketball League
.
Aaron is currently a member of the Irish superleague team Shamrock Rovers Hoops
.
attended the University of Missouri–Kansas City
, and began his professional career when he signed for local club Kansas City Steers
in 2005. However, after one season with the Steers, Aaron made the bold move to Europe, where he signed for leading British
team Plymouth Raiders
in September 2005.
His rookie season with the Raiders was dogged by a recurring ankle injury, but Aaron returned for the following season slimer and fully fit, after declining an offer from an undisclosed European team. His game rapidly improved and within a month of his sophomore season, Aaron received the recognition he deserved. Aaron claimed the Molten Player of the Month award for November 2006, after leading Raiders on a six-game winning streak in the BBL Championship, and thus reaching the summit of the league table for the first time in their history.
With a game-high 25 points and 12 rebounds, Aaron was awarded the MVP for Raiders’ 74-65 win over Newcastle Eagles
in the BBL Trophy
Final on 4 March 2007. It was the first time Raiders had won a top-flight title in their history, made all the more sweeter as Newcastle, the favourites for the clash, were playing with home court advantage. The previous week Raiders, playing without an injured Aaron, had lost on the road to Eagles 99-75, thus outlining Aaron’s importance to the starting five.
Aaron finished the BBL regular season as he league's top rebounder, averaging 12.43 boards-per-game, and was voted into the league's All-Star First Team, finishing fourth in the overall vote. In May 2007, following Raiders' quarter-final exit from the BBL Playoffs, Aaron returned to the USA where he signed a two-month contract with former-International Basketball League
champions, Battle Creek Knights
, from Michigan
.
In July 2007, Aaron attended the Korean Basketball League
draft try-outs in Las Vegas
, however having not made the necessary impact, he was signed by Guildford Heat
. He had previously expressed his desire to return to Plymouth, but this was ended when the Raiders signed Terrence Durham
as Aaron's replacement, due to his lack of commitment.
Several weeks later, Aaron signed for Raiders' title-rivals Guildford Heat
, who required a proven 'big man' to lead them into their European debut in the ULEB Cup
. Aaron's competitive debut in a Heat vest ironically came on a road trip against his former club Raiders, in the first of a two-game series in the inaugural BBL Cup Winners' Cup
. Upon entering his former home arena, he was greeted by a mixed reaction of applause and jeers from a partisan crowd at the Plymouth Pavilions
.
Despite reduced minutes compared to previous seasons, Aaron still posted some consistent numbers domestically in the BBL, including 12.44 points per-game (and a lowly 6.2 rebounds by his standards), the dominating Centre could not adapt to the European game and struggled in each of his appearances in the ULEB Cup. In 39:10 minutes of ULEB play, Aaron mustered only 4 points, including the franchise's first ever 2 points in European competition, a lay-up in the 84-68 away defeat to KK Bosna
.
It was announced on November 19 that Carlton had parted company with Guildford by mutual consent and was free to seek a new team. It later emerged that BBL rookie franchise Birmingham Panthers
had attempted to sign the him, but was significantly priced out of budget by Aaron's wage demands. The deal fell through.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who most recently was signed to the Guildford Heat
Guildford Heat
Guildford Heat is a basketball club based in Guildford, England that currently play in the British Basketball League. Heat play their home games at the brand-new Surrey Sports Park and was formed in 2005 by fans of former BBL franchise Thames Valley Tigers, who folded during the same year...
in the British Basketball League
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
.
Aaron is currently a member of the Irish superleague team Shamrock Rovers Hoops
Shamrock Rovers Hoops
Shamrock Rovers Hoops, more commonly referred to as Hoops, are an Irish basketball club. They compete in the Superleague. Hoops are based in Tallaght, on Dublin's Southside, and play their home games at the National Basketball Arena...
.
Professional career
The 6'9", 300 lb centerCenter (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
attended the University of Missouri–Kansas City
University of Missouri–Kansas City
The University of Missouri–Kansas City is a public university located in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. It is a branch of the University of Missouri System. Its main campus is in Kansas City's Rockhill neighborhood east of the Country Club Plaza...
, and began his professional career when he signed for local club Kansas City Steers
Kansas City Steers
The Kansas City Steers were an American basketball team based in Kansas City, Missouri that was a member of the American Basketball League.-Year-by-year:...
in 2005. However, after one season with the Steers, Aaron made the bold move to Europe, where he signed for leading British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
team Plymouth Raiders
Plymouth Raiders
The Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004...
in September 2005.
His rookie season with the Raiders was dogged by a recurring ankle injury, but Aaron returned for the following season slimer and fully fit, after declining an offer from an undisclosed European team. His game rapidly improved and within a month of his sophomore season, Aaron received the recognition he deserved. Aaron claimed the Molten Player of the Month award for November 2006, after leading Raiders on a six-game winning streak in the BBL Championship, and thus reaching the summit of the league table for the first time in their history.
With a game-high 25 points and 12 rebounds, Aaron was awarded the MVP for Raiders’ 74-65 win over Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Eagles is a British Basketball League team from Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2010 they have played all home games at the 3,000 capacity Sport Central arena at Northumbria University in the city...
in the BBL Trophy
BBL Trophy
The BBL Trophy is one of three cup competitions operated by the British Basketball League. The competition begins with a regional group format and comprises the BBL clubs divided into four regional qualifying groups of three...
Final on 4 March 2007. It was the first time Raiders had won a top-flight title in their history, made all the more sweeter as Newcastle, the favourites for the clash, were playing with home court advantage. The previous week Raiders, playing without an injured Aaron, had lost on the road to Eagles 99-75, thus outlining Aaron’s importance to the starting five.
Aaron finished the BBL regular season as he league's top rebounder, averaging 12.43 boards-per-game, and was voted into the league's All-Star First Team, finishing fourth in the overall vote. In May 2007, following Raiders' quarter-final exit from the BBL Playoffs, Aaron returned to the USA where he signed a two-month contract with former-International Basketball League
International Basketball League
The International Basketball League was a short lived professional basketball league in the United States. The IBL was headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The league started in 1999 and ended in 2001.-History:...
champions, Battle Creek Knights
Battle Creek Knights
The Battle Creek Knights are a team in the Independent Basketball Association located in Battle Creek, Michigan. They previously played in the Premier Basketball League and in the International Basketball League.-2005 season:...
, from Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
.
In July 2007, Aaron attended the Korean Basketball League
Korean Basketball League
The Korean Basketball League, often abbreviated to the KBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in South Korea. Its inaugural season was in 1997. The season starts in October and ends in April the following year. The KBL consists of 10 teams. Each team plays 54 games . Each team...
draft try-outs in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, however having not made the necessary impact, he was signed by Guildford Heat
Guildford Heat
Guildford Heat is a basketball club based in Guildford, England that currently play in the British Basketball League. Heat play their home games at the brand-new Surrey Sports Park and was formed in 2005 by fans of former BBL franchise Thames Valley Tigers, who folded during the same year...
. He had previously expressed his desire to return to Plymouth, but this was ended when the Raiders signed Terrence Durham
Terrence Durham
Terrence Durham is an American professional basketball player.The 6ft8 centre was a graduate of St. Bonaventure University, which he attended from 1995-1999. He signed his first professional contract in 2000 with Plymouth Raiders, then playing in the second-tier National Basketball League...
as Aaron's replacement, due to his lack of commitment.
Several weeks later, Aaron signed for Raiders' title-rivals Guildford Heat
Guildford Heat
Guildford Heat is a basketball club based in Guildford, England that currently play in the British Basketball League. Heat play their home games at the brand-new Surrey Sports Park and was formed in 2005 by fans of former BBL franchise Thames Valley Tigers, who folded during the same year...
, who required a proven 'big man' to lead them into their European debut in the ULEB Cup
ULEB Cup
Eurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
. Aaron's competitive debut in a Heat vest ironically came on a road trip against his former club Raiders, in the first of a two-game series in the inaugural BBL Cup Winners' Cup
BBL Cup Winners' Cup
The Cup Winners' Cup was a peripheral cup competition of the British Basketball League. It was a pre-season tournament competed over two legs, one home and one away, between the winners of BBL Cup and BBL Trophy from the previous season. Each leg was staged prior to the beginning of the regular...
. Upon entering his former home arena, he was greeted by a mixed reaction of applause and jeers from a partisan crowd at the Plymouth Pavilions
Plymouth Pavilions
Plymouth Pavilions is an entertainment and sports complex in Plymouth, Devon, England. It has a Fun Pool, Ice Rink, Live Cafe and arena. The arena is used for corporate hire and as an entertainment venue....
.
Despite reduced minutes compared to previous seasons, Aaron still posted some consistent numbers domestically in the BBL, including 12.44 points per-game (and a lowly 6.2 rebounds by his standards), the dominating Centre could not adapt to the European game and struggled in each of his appearances in the ULEB Cup. In 39:10 minutes of ULEB play, Aaron mustered only 4 points, including the franchise's first ever 2 points in European competition, a lay-up in the 84-68 away defeat to KK Bosna
KK Bosna
KK Bosna is a basketball club in Sarajevo the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club is part of the University Sport Society USD Bosna...
.
It was announced on November 19 that Carlton had parted company with Guildford by mutual consent and was free to seek a new team. It later emerged that BBL rookie franchise Birmingham Panthers
Birmingham Panthers
The Birmingham Panthers was a professional basketball club in the British Basketball League. Established in 2007, the Birmingham-based franchise competed in Britain's top-tier league during the 2007-08 season, but following a disastrous season and a lack of organisation, the franchise ceased...
had attempted to sign the him, but was significantly priced out of budget by Aaron's wage demands. The deal fell through.
Playing history
- 2009 Shamrock Rovers HoopsShamrock Rovers HoopsShamrock Rovers Hoops, more commonly referred to as Hoops, are an Irish basketball club. They compete in the Superleague. Hoops are based in Tallaght, on Dublin's Southside, and play their home games at the National Basketball Arena...
- 2007 Guildford HeatGuildford HeatGuildford Heat is a basketball club based in Guildford, England that currently play in the British Basketball League. Heat play their home games at the brand-new Surrey Sports Park and was formed in 2005 by fans of former BBL franchise Thames Valley Tigers, who folded during the same year...
- 2007
Battle Creek KnightsBattle Creek KnightsThe Battle Creek Knights are a team in the Independent Basketball Association located in Battle Creek, Michigan. They previously played in the Premier Basketball League and in the International Basketball League.-2005 season:... - 2005-2007 Plymouth RaidersPlymouth RaidersThe Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004...
- 2005 Kansas City SteersKansas City SteersThe Kansas City Steers were an American basketball team based in Kansas City, Missouri that was a member of the American Basketball League.-Year-by-year:...
- 2002-2005 UMKC KangaroosUMKC Kangaroos men's basketballThe UMKC Kangaroos Basketball team is the basketball team that represent University of Missouri-Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri. The school's team currently competes in The Summit League. The team has never played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament...