Recruiting Report: Carter Combs (2020)

<p><strong>Carter Combs- 6’2 Combo Guard</strong></p> <p><strong>Cincinnati Heat Premier 2020/Lakota West High School</strong></p> <p><strong>Prep Hoops Rank- NR</strong></p> <p><strong>2018-19 Averages: 14.0ppg (6^TH GMC), 3.9rpg, 1.6spg </strong></p> <p><strong>2^nd Team All GMC</strong></p> <p><strong>Floor/Ceiling: D-II/D-III</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p>It seems a lot of players now workout more so when they have to and not on their own accord. But Lakota West/CHP 2020 guard Carter Combs knew early on that incorporating a strong work ethic would help take him a long way. “Actually, I at the gym right now with my mom,” Combs stated. “I am going to lift weights after I get done shooting. I have always had to work hard, I don’t have the measurable of some players.” But what Carter lacks in measurable, he more than makes up for with a combination of skill and grit to go with the hard work.</p> <p>Known as more of a shooter, he had 138 three-point attempts last season, Carter has worked on adding and showing that there is a lot more to his game. Let’s start with the fact that I did not see a player the whole month of June who ran their lane on the break harder than Carter. And unlike most players in today’s era he does not routinely stop at the three point line, instead running hard for easy lay-up opportunities. While also able to use screens effectively to get open looks, he has improved his ball-handling over the past few seasons which should help him get to the free throw line a lot more and will compliment nicely his underrated passing ability.</p> <p>During our interview you could hear the excitement in Carter voice when talking about the upcoming season and his goals for the season. “My goal for this season is to do better than we did last season (5-18, 2-14) and lead the team to a winning record. The last two seasons have been hard not winning,” he stated. But with Cincinnati coaching legend Jim Leon at the helm and some good young talent including 2022 <strong>G Julian Mackey</strong>, who Combs heaped high praise on, this could be the year West finishes above .500 for the first time since 2016.</p> <p>Armed with a 3.49 GPA and ACT score of 26, many regional programs have reached out and expressed interest in Combs. Malone, Fairmont St, Capital, Elmhurst and Kalamazoo are some of the programs who shown interest along with Hanover who Carter has visited. As for what he is looking for in a college home he stated, “A good coaching staff that I can get along with. Also a place with a good culture and good teammates so that I can just come in and work.” And if you fit that bill and like gym rats who are solid people off the court, than Carter Combs should be on your radar.</p>