Catching Up With Tweety Carter

I spent 30 minutes on the phone with Baylor basketball legend Demond "Tweety" Carter.  About 10 minutes into the conversation, I was already regretting that I was not recording it.  His passion for Baylor and his enthusiasm when he speaks about the past and future is hard to convey through the written word.  

Carter is currently in Waco and plans to be at the Sicem365 tailgate Saturday before Baylor's opening football game against Abilene Christian.  He spent the summer working out kids in the Waco area to help them become better basketball players but also build into their lives.  You can reach him at dtcballers29@gmail.com if you have kids of any age who are interested in becoming better basketball players.  

Tweety spent last year in France in one of the top professional leagues and is currently evaluating options for this upcoming season.  He averaged 10 ppg, 3 assists and 2 rebounds while shooting 48% from the field; 41% from 3 and 82% from the foul line in 24 minutes.  His team employed a 10 man platoon system.  Carter was the 3rd leading scorer and 3rd in assists for a 14-3 team.  

When I asked Tweety what his favorite season of playing basketball was, he didn't hesitate to say the 2009-10 season-  his senior year at Baylor.  Tweety gets excited when he thinks about that year, "I love Baylor so much.  Everyone asked me why I went to Baylor?  I wanted to be a part of something special.  Everything about that team means so much to me.  We worked so hard that summer to prepare for that season.  It was a magical year.  Our chemistry was amazing.  I loved every hardship, every triumph, every close loss, every big win.  As I sat in that locker room after that Duke loss, I was upset but also very grateful.  I told the guys, we laid it all out there for this team, this school and these coaches.  We didn't cheat Coach Drew.  We gave our best and this is something we can be proud of the rest of our lives."  

He couldn't pin down a favorite moment.  "It was all special to me.  I know that sounds like a cop out to say that but that's the way I feel.  I have nothing but love for those guys, those coaches and Baylor fans.  Baylor is special.  Every time I come back here, I have a rush.  The people, the fans, the school, the bonds with players and coaches.  Every chance I have to give back to Baylor, I want to give back because this place gave so much to me and helping shape me."  

I quizzed him about his experiences with the current team this summer.  He was politically savvy not to favor any players but he thinks Makai Mason can be special from his interactions with him.  He said, "this team does remind me of the 2010 team I was a part of in its desire to work hard.  This is a team of hard workers!  They may not be the most talented or physically imposing team that Baylor has had but I'm excited to see what they can do.  They are going to be a tough, hard nosed team that makes the fans proud."  

I pressed him on other point guards on the roster.  On Jared Butler and his relationship with him (same high school):  "This is a young, hungry guy.  He asks so many questions!  And I love that about him.  He is competitive and humble.  You all are going to love him."  On Davion Mitchell the transfer from Auburn:  "another hard, hard worker.  He will lock you up defensively and make you want to quit.  He and Jared are going to push each other hard in practice.  The future of the point guard position is bright."  

Tweety mentioned that he keeps in touch with Lace Dunn, Henry Dugat, Curtis Jerrells, Kevin Rogers and Ekpe Udoh from his teams at Baylor.  But emphasized that it is a big family and he has a bond with all Baylor basketball players from teams in the last 15 years.  As the conversation wrapped up, I told Tweety:  "you know most Baylor fans are going to say that 2009-10 team was their favorite all time Baylor team."  A long pause on the other end.  "Man, that means a lot.  Special team and a great moment in my life.  Sic'Em Bears."