Jevon Carter unanimously named to Big 12 First-Team

Jevon Carter is the best player on the WVU basketball team. He’s now considered one of the best players in the Big 12 Conference.

Leading up to his senior year with the Mountaineers, Jevon Carter has been named to the Big 12 preseason First-Team. He was a unanimous selection, showing that his skills and talent are recognized by all of the coaches in the conference.

Joining Carter on the first-team are Devonte’ Graham of Kansas, Jeffrey Carroll of Oklahoma State, Vladimir Brodziansky of TCU and Zach Smith of Texas Tech. Graham was named the preseason Player of the Year, although Carter could have made a case for that honor as well.

Carter averaged more points per game a year ago with 13.5 compared to 13.4 by Graham. Carter also had more rebounds per game (5 compared to 3.1 by Graham). All in all, Carter played better defense than Graham, too. Carter is the best defensive player in the conference and probably the best defensive guard in the country.

Carter has a lot to prove this season. First and foremost, he needs to remove himself from the last NCAA Tournament game last season when he mishandled the waning seconds against Gonzaga. Carter is a leader through and through and he really doesn’t need to prove anything to anybody.

Carter is cut from the same cloth as WVU basketball legend Da’Sean Butler. He won’t quit until the Mountaineers make it back to the Final Four. Carter has a solid all-around game, but he recently told reporters there are a few things he needs to improve on heading into the 2017-18 season.

Finishing around the rim shows that he wants to become more of a scorer this year. He already averaged nearly two points per game more than the next highest player, Esa Ahmad. But getting close buckets around the rim, and taking advantage of second-chance opportunities. Leadership-wise, Carter has shown for a full season already that this is his team. He leads by example and sets a good example for the younger players. This must mean that he wants to be a leader, like Bob Huggins. By following the veteran head coach, he has become a better player.

One thing Carter does better than any player in the country is he defense. If he can actually find a way to get better at steals and disrupting the opponent, the entire country better watch out.

If Carter is able to get better at nearly every aspect of his game, he has enough talent alone to carry the Mountaineers to the top of the Big 12 Conference. Of course, he is a team player and West Virginia has a solid supporting cast built around him.

Next: All-time WVU basketball team

Carter deserves this First-Team mention more than any player in the conference. It doesn’t really matter to him, though. What Carter wants is a championship in Morgantown.