Gorman’s Jason Carter commits to Colorado

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000 | 10:08 a.m.

It didn't take the state's top basketball recruit long to decide where he wants to spend his college career.

Fresh off the first of five planned college visits, Bishop Gorman big man Jason Carter has canceled the remaining four and verbally committed to the University of Colorado.

"When I went up there I fit right in with the players, and it felt like home," said Carter, who spent last weekend in Boulder.

The 6-9 Carter, a member of the Sun's All-State first team last season, averaged 14 points, 12.5 rebounds and three blocks while leading the Gaels to the 2000 4A state championship.

He said the Buffaloes plan to play him at power forward with the squad's lone senior starter -- Jamahl Mosley -- vacating that position at year's end.

"I felt that with the players they have coming in and the players they already have and with me coming on, we could really get something done," Carter said.

Carter had scheduled official visits to Minnesota, Villanova, Oregon and Texas-El Paso, but cancelled those trips after giving Colorado head coach Ricardo Patton his verbal commitment over the telephone on Tuesday. He said UNLV had also shown some interest, but "just got into the picture last week."

After earning a reputation as one of Southern Nevada's top middle school players, Carter began his high school career in Minnesota, winning a 3A state championship with De La Salle High School as a freshman. The following year, he returned to Las Vegas, moving in with his brother and legal guardian Tyrone Wallace and enrolling at Gorman.

The Gaels struggled during his sophomore season, missing the postseason altogether. They bounced back last year, finishing 27-5 and capturing the ninth state title in school history.

Carter said he wanted to commit early so he could concentrate on the upcoming season and a run at his third state championship in four years.

"It's a big burden off my chest," Carter said. "(The recruiting process) has been pretty hectic."

The Gaels will play the 2000-2001 season under Bob Hubbard, a former college assistant who took over head coaching duties at the school last week.