Submitted by Cape Fear Sport... on Wed, 06/04/2008 - 8:07am.READ MORE: 
WILMINGTON, N.C. - UNC Wilmington men’s basketball player T.J. Carter capped a storybook ending to his collegiate career Monday night by being selected as the 2008 recipient of the John H. Randolph Inspiration Award by the Colonial Athletic Association.
The award, presented by CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager during the league’s summer meetings in Hilton Head, S.C., recognizes individuals who through strength of character and human spirit serve as an inspiration to all to maximize their potential and ability for success. It is named after former William & Mary athletic director John Randolph, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in 1995.
”This is truly a special honor for T.J. and I couldn’t be more pleased for him and his family,” said Benny Moss, UNCW’s second-year head coach. “He’s gone through so much the last few years. We will miss the passion and spirit that he’s brought to our program and wish him the very best as he goes on to the next level.”
Carter, a graduate of Chopticon High School in Mechanicsville, Md., endured three hernia surgeries during his career with the Seahawks to become one of the top men’s basketball players in the conference. He first underwent a left hernia repair in 2004 and then a bilateral hernia repair in 2005. Despite dealing with pain from the injury, Carter played in 56 games during his first two seasons and was a key reserve for the Seahawks, averaging nearly 10 points per game as a sophomore.
The shooting guard developed into one of the league’s top performers in 2005-06, averaging a team-best 13.6 ppg and earning a spot on the All-CAA third team. He was selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the 2006 CAA Men’s Basketball Championship after contributing 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in leading the Seahawks to their fourth conference title in seven years. Carter went on to a score a team-high 25 points in UNCW’s NCAA Tournament game against George Washington.
Carter’s hernia condition worsened following his junior campaign, and he underwent a third operation in October, 2006 by renowned surgeon William C. Myers, chairman of the Department of Surgery at Drexel University’s College of Medicine. The final surgery caused him to miss the entire 2006-07 season, but proved to be successful and finally provided the relief he needed to return at full speed to the basketball floor.
With his health much-improved, Carter capped his career in impressive fashion and led the Seahawks to a second-place conference finish and a 20-13 overall mark in 2007-08. He was chosen to the All-CAA first team after ranking sixth in the conference in scoring (15.8 ppg), 14th in rebounding (5.5 rpg) and sixth in assists (4.1 apg). Carter also topped the CAA and was 35th in the nation in free throw percentage at 85.6 percent.
Carter was also one of 14 national finalists for the V Foundation Comeback Award, presented annually to a college basketball player that has accomplished a personal triumph in the face of true adversity. -Courtesy UNCW Sports Information
-- Jesse Jones, CAPE FEAR SPORTS REPORT
»
