[Sly Fox]

Ashland Blazer's Zander Carter turns down offer from Overtime Elite, keeps faith as focus

by KatieHutchison - @kghutchi
06/22/24

In eastern Kentucky basketball news, Ashland Blazer High School’s star point guard Zander Carter turned down an offer from Overtime Elite. Yes, the Overtime Elite that housed Rob Dillingham, Jordan Burks, and Karter Knox. Plus notable names like Amen and Ausar Thompson.

Playing for Overtime Elite greatly improves a player’s chances to play basketball at the professional level. The program offers scholarships to promising players around the country, with rigorous academic and athletic training programs to make a player the best he can be. OTE was founded in 2021 and has had three extremely successful seasons thus far. Under founders Dan Porter and Zack Weiner, and other board members, including Carmelo Anthony, players can receive a minimum annual salary of $100,000 or a scholarship that allows them to retain college eligibility.

Here's my favorite quote:

“I spent a lot of time in prayer, and just in the presence of the Lord on what I should do,” Carter told me on Monday. “It has been the biggest blessing and the most important decision in my life to follow Christ. I would be nowhere near where I am today in my walk of life if it wasn’t for Jesus. It will always be at the forefront of the decisions that I will continue to make.”

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[Sly Fox]

[olldflame]

Update on Zander4 Carter. Having a great Senior year and on track to pass the 3000 point mark next game. He has already broken all scoring records at Paul Blazer HS.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">16th Region Boys Basketball Stat Leaders <a href="https://t.co/IgPpquf2yw">pic.twitter.co ... </p>&mdash; My Town TV (@Mytowntvhd) <a href="

4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[olldflame]

Update on Zander. Having a great Senior year and on track to pass the 3000 point mark next game. He has already broken all scoring records at Paul Blazer HS.

His overall and 3pt shooting percentages are super impressive for someone scoring that much.

0
(@Mytowntvhd) <a href="

4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[LU Armchair coach]

Zander will be on campus this weekend.

[Humble_Opinion]

If this kid picks up the defensive scheme, he's going to push for minutes. He appears to be that good offensively and since we lose Peter and Maughmer he potentially would be a good fit given his size.

[olldflame]

If this kid picks up the defensive scheme, he's going to push for minutes. He appears to be that good offensively and since we lose Peter and Maughmer he potentially would be a good fit given his size.

While we only will be blessed to have them with us for a year, Peter and Maughner are going to be sorely missed. The only returning player on the roster with similar size and skill set is CB3, and while I am hopeful, to this point he has been a disappointment. I'm hoping that we can bring in at least one transfer who can team up with Zander to fill this void.

[flamehunter]

If this kid picks up the defensive scheme, he's going to push for minutes. He appears to be that good offensively and since we lose Peter and Maughmer he potentially would be a good fit given his size.

While we only will be blessed to have them with us for a year, Peter and Maughner are going to be sorely missed. The only returning player on the roster with similar size and skill set is CB3, and while I am hopeful, to this point he has been a disappointment. I'm hoping that we can bring in at least one transfer who can team up with Zander to fill this void.

I don't know the deal with Blair. I saw him play a few minutes in the only game I have been to this year. Decker also played some in that game. What little I saw he looked like he has tons of potential. I was more impressed with him than Decker by quite a bit. Maybe a switch will be flipped and the light will come on for him before next season. Edit to add: This wasn't meant to disparage Decker at all. I think he can be really good as well.

[LU Armchair coach]

If this kid picks up the defensive scheme, he's going to push for minutes. He appears to be that good offensively and since we lose Peter and Maughmer he potentially would be a good fit given his size.

While we only will be blessed to have them with us for a year, Peter and Maughner are going to be sorely missed. The only returning player on the roster with similar size and skill set is CB3, and while I am hopeful, to this point he has been a disappointment. I'm hoping that we can bring in at least one transfer who can team up with Zander to fill this void.

Word on the street is Peter and Maughner may have another year. Petitioning the NCAA. If this happens what happens to the incoming freshman?

[olldflame]

If this kid picks up the defensive scheme, he's going to push for minutes. He appears to be that good offensively and since we lose Peter and Maughmer he potentially would be a good fit given his size.

While we only will be blessed to have them with us for a year, Peter and Maughner are going to be sorely missed. The only returning player on the roster with similar size and skill set is CB3, and while I am hopeful, to this point he has been a disappointment. I'm hoping that we can bring in at least one transfer who can team up with Zander to fill this void.

Word on the street is Peter and Maughner may have another year. Petitioning the NCAA. If this happens what happens to the incoming freshman?

Our track record with getting any kind of a break with the NCAA has not been good, but there have been some changes there, so.................. maybe?

As far as what would happen to the incoming FR is concerned, because they have a signed NIL, they are actually the only players in the program guaranteed a scholarship next year. We have a couple of players on the roster who could benefit greatly from a transfer under those circumstances, and would likely enter the portal, but as harsh as it sounds, if they do not, and the numbers don't add up, Ritchie can simply choose not to renew a couple of scholarship.

Do you know what this petition is based on? Looking at their history, it seems this should be the last year of eligibility for both of them.

[jcmanson]

Think Diego Pavia type ruling

[olldflame]

Think Diego Pavia type ruling

OK, so the logic would be that D2 experience (similarly to JUCO) is not equivalent to D1 and should not be counted against remaining D1 eligibility the same way.

[LU Armchair coach]

https://www.huschblackwell.com/newsandi ... %20program.

[R i]

High schooler selling shirts is kinda funny.

[Humble_Opinion]

It's audacious. I like it. I think Metheny has his own shirts too...?

[LU Armchair coach]

While we only will be blessed to have them with us for a year, Peter and Maughner are going to be sorely missed. The only returning player on the roster with similar size and skill set is CB3, and while I am hopeful, to this point he has been a disappointment. I'm hoping that we can bring in at least one transfer who can team up with Zander to fill this void.

Word on the street is Peter and Maughner may have another year. Petitioning the NCAA. If this happens what happens to the incoming freshman?

Our track record with getting any kind of a break with the NCAA has not been good, but there have been some changes there, so.................. maybe?

As far as what would happen to the incoming FR is concerned, because they have a signed NIL, they are actually the only players in the program guaranteed a scholarship next year. We have a couple of players on the roster who could benefit greatly from a transfer under those circumstances, and would likely enter the portal, but as harsh as it sounds, if they do not, and the numbers don't add up, Ritchie can simply choose not to renew a couple of scholarship.

Do you know what this petition is based on? Looking at their history, it seems this should be the last year of eligibility for both of them.

Is the NLI still a thing. I don’t think so.

[olldflame]

The NLI as it has existed for the past 60 years has been done away with. The new "Aid Agreement" replacing it grants additional freedoms to student athletes, but retains almost all of the obligations of the schools. This includes a guaranteed scholarship if the athlete enrolls and fulfills their player obligations.

4. Institutional Obligations and New Student-Athlete Freedoms: "In addition to abiding by recruiting rules, institutions are required to honor athletics aid agreements and may reduce or cancel such agreements only in limited legislated circumstances. Prospects are also contractually bound by these aid agreements; however, with the elimination of “basic penalty” there is no longer an NCAA-legislated penalty that could be levied against student-athletes if they do not attend the institution with which they signed an aid agreement.'

https://www.huschblackwell.com/newsandi ... 02024%2D55).

[LU Armchair coach]

If all comes back next year LU will have one freshman on scholarship

[olldflame]

If all comes back next year LU will have one freshman on scholarship

Theoretically correct but absurd, because everyone is not coming back. If Maughmer and Peter win their petition, at least 2 players on the current roster will either transfer or "retire". Probably more. This may not be 100% voluntary on their part, but it will happen.

[John_6_47]

Who would transfer/retire? Why not run it back one more time? If Liberty can’t put up the money for a few extra scholarships to get together a really good team I’d be disappointed.

[prototype]

Who would transfer/retire? Why not run it back one more time? If Liberty can’t put up the money for a few extra scholarships to get together a really good team I’d be disappointed.

That's not the way it works... Liberty only can offer the max number of scholarships the NCAA allows. Liberty would pay for 20 scholarships, if it could.

I could see Yu, Spell and Shirer all move... McKay's not on scholarship - right? Feel like he should be, or that would be a cheat for employees kids to play while getting free tuition anyways. Will Gibson can't be on scholarship, can he?

[olldflame]

Who would transfer/retire? Why not run it back one more time? If Liberty can’t put up the money for a few extra scholarships to get together a really good team I’d be disappointed.

That's not the way it works... Liberty only can offer the max number of scholarships the NCAA allows. Liberty would pay for 20 scholarships, if it could.

I could see Yu, Spell and Shirer all move... McKay's not on scholarship - right? Feel like he should be, or that would be a cheat for employees kids to play while getting free tuition anyways. Will Gibson can't be on scholarship, can he?

McKay' eligibility is expired. Shirer is not on scholarship, but that won't matter next year, as the rule will be 15 players, with or without scholarship. If they want to keep him around the program, he could possibly be a manager or grad. asst.
The 2 other players you mentioned would have zero chance of playing meaningful minutes if they returned. They don't as it is, and then when you put Ihnen, Smith and 2 really tall, talented and athletic FR into the mix and it's ridiculous. Especially for Spell, who has been around for 4 years and never played. At least Yu would still be a R-Soph, and 7'.

[John_6_47]

Who would transfer/retire? Why not run it back one more time? If Liberty can’t put up the money for a few extra scholarships to get together a really good team I’d be disappointed.

That's not the way it works... Liberty only can offer the max number of scholarships the NCAA allows. Liberty would pay for 20 scholarships, if it could.

I could see Yu, Spell and Shirer all move... McKay's not on scholarship - right? Feel like he should be, or that would be a cheat for employees kids to play while getting free tuition anyways. Will Gibson can't be on scholarship, can he?

Oh, I see! Thanks for explaining that for me.

[olldflame]

Who would transfer/retire? Why not run it back one more time? If Liberty can’t put up the money for a few extra scholarships to get together a really good team I’d be disappointed.

That's not the way it works... Liberty only can offer the max number of scholarships the NCAA allows. Liberty would pay for 20 scholarships, if it could.

I could see Yu, Spell and Shirer all move... McKay's not on scholarship - right? Feel like he should be, or that would be a cheat for employees kids to play while getting free tuition anyways. Will Gibson can't be on scholarship, can he?

Yes, Will Gibson is on scholarship. Not sure what his future is with this program though. Great fit for the culture, but at best it will be an "uphill climb" for him to see significant minutes.

Restating the new rules: Starting next year, the maximum roster size will be 15, and that will also be the scholarship limit. I would be surprised if we have anyone on our roster who is not a scholarship athlete.

IMHO we have reached a point in our program where keeping a player on the roster because he is a good fit culturally when he is not talented enough to play at the CUSA level is not going to be an option. Ritchie has proved that he can recruit athletes who are both.

[Purple Haize]

Who would transfer/retire? Why not run it back one more time? If Liberty can’t put up the money for a few extra scholarships to get together a really good team I’d be disappointed.

That's not the way it works... Liberty only can offer the max number of scholarships the NCAA allows. Liberty would pay for 20 scholarships, if it could.

I could see Yu, Spell and Shirer all move... McKay's not on scholarship - right? Feel like he should be, or that would be a cheat for employees kids to play while getting free tuition anyways. Will Gibson can't be on scholarship, can he?

Yes, Will Gibson is on scholarship. Not sure what his future is with this program though. Great fit for the culture, but at best it will be an "uphill climb" for him to see significant minutes.

Restating the new rules: Starting next year, the maximum roster size will be 15, and that will also be the scholarship limit. I would be surprised if we have anyone on our roster who is not a scholarship athlete.

IMHO we have reached a point in our program where keeping a player on the roster because he is a good fit culturally when he is not talented enough to play at the CUSA level is not going to be an option. Ritchie has proved that he can recruit athletes who are both.

I’ll just point out that Duke and a couple other Programs have traditionally done that