Last night's NBA Draft brought a local talent to the forefront as Baltimore's own Carlton "Bub" Carrington found his way to the Washington Wizards as the 14th overall pick. The former St. Frances Academy standout, whose journey to the NBA was once a distant dream, is now set to begin his professional basketball career a mere stone's throw down I-95 from his hometown. According to CBS News Baltimore, Carrington was not originally recruited heavily out of high school, making his rise to NBA prospect status during his lone season at Pittsburgh all the more impressive.
Dealt by Portland alongside Malcolm Brogden and a 2029 first-round pick for Deni Avdija, Carrington's drafting was part of a broader shuffle aiming to fortify the Wizards' roster, which also saw them nab French center Alex Sarr with the second overall pick. Sporting an all-black suit and a green mental health awareness pin, the Baltimore native was surrounded by his nearest and dearest as a new chapter in his life unfurled at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The excitement surrounding Carrington is palpable, painting a hopeful picture for the Wizards' future, provided they can navigate a franchise-worst 67 losses from the past season into a pathway for rebuilding — and not just a continuing saga of poor performance and unmet potential.
Carrington's inherent talent and remarkable basketball IQ were key to his deck-shuffling into the NBA. Jeff Capel, Carrington's coach at Pittsburgh, emphasized that Carrington’s "greatest gift is his mind." according to the Baltimore Sun. He's expected to bring a lot to the table for the Wizards, who have not only room but a crying need for fresh talent, direction, and a winning mindset.
It's not just about potential for the Wizards, it’s about a better tomorrow. Carrington shared his NBA player comparison, believing he can transition into a role similar to premier guards like Dejounte Murray or Devin Booker. "So I would say I could transition into like a Dejounte Murray or a Devin Booker kind of player. Where it’s not really a one [point guard], not really a two [shooting guard], but ball-dominant and can come off ball screens, can create for others and can obviously create for themselves.” Carrington told Baltimore Sun. The city of Baltimore and the Wizards organization are surely hoping that Carrington's career trajectory continues to soar, transforming hopes and dreams into points on the scoreboard and wins in the column.
