American · Atlanta, Georgia · Born 16 April 1999Versatile and skilled big man who has been a key part of Orlando Magic's exciting young core during their playoff resurgence.
Wendell Andre Carter Jr. was born on 16 April 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia, to Wendell Carter Sr., who played professional basketball in the Dominican Republic after a collegiate career at Delta State, and Kylia Carter, who played Division I basketball at the University of Mississippi. He attended Pace Academy in Atlanta, winning the 2016 Georgia Class AA state championship and earning Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year honours as a senior. Carter's parents prioritised education alongside basketball, and though his mother pushed for Harvard, the family compromised on Duke University, where Carter played one standout season, finishing second all-time among Duke freshmen in both rebounds and blocked shots. The Chicago Bulls selected Carter seventh overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, and he developed into a reliable interior scorer and rebounder before being traded to the Orlando Magic in 2021, where he became a consistent double-double threat and a key veteran presence for a young, rebuilding roster. Carter has continued to anchor Orlando's frontcourt, renowned for his rebounding and interior scoring, carrying forward the basketball legacy established by both of his college-athlete parents.
Versatile big man with strong rebounding and shot-blocking ability
He was part of the core that helped the Orlando Magic return to the playoffs in 2023-24 for the first time in years, contributing as a skilled, versatile big in one of the league's most exciting young rosters.
Did You Know?How They Played
Modern center with defensive presence and improving offensive range
Lasting Impact
Solid NBA center who helped Orlando Magic return to playoffs
Career Honours
- Orlando Magic playoff return 2024
| Club | Period | Apps | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bulls | 2018–2021 | 201 | #5 |
| Orlando Magic | 2021–2024 | — | — |
American Athletes