It seems that basketball runs in the blood of women’s basketball standout senior forward Cierra Carter. The Columbia, SC native ranks in Furman’s top 10 in career points and rebounds and is the daughter of two parents who both played collegiate ball at Morris College. “I have been playing basketball since I was four years old and I have never stopped,” Carter said.
The Paladins have been much better off since Carter decided to bring her talents to the upstate, who first heard about Furman at the beginning of her illustrious high school career. “I was recruited in high school and I was invited to come to Furman for a visit,” Carter said. “After my first visit, I kept coming back and eventually decided to stay here.”
Carter has seen her role with the team greatly expand during her four year career. She finished her freshman year averaging 5.3 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game. Now, in her senior season, Carter has tripled her scoring average with 15.9 points per game and increased her rebounding to 6.7 rebounds per game. Her impressive stats are just one way of showing her value and impact to the team.
Not only is she the team’s leading scorer, but she is a leader who is willing to push her teammates to the next level in order to compete. At the start of the season, one of Carter’s primary goals was to be a unifying leader. “My goals for the season are to have my teammates say I was a good leader, win a SoCon championship, and leave a positive impact on Furman women’s basketball.”
Carter has already accomplished two of these goals, and is just looking to win the program’s first SoCon Championship in 18 years with the start of the SoCon tournament happening on March 1st.
After graduation, Carter is planning on a career in physical therapy (PT), but has not ruled out a possibility of a professional career . “I want to eventually go to PT school, and I have thought about playing professionally overseas but I’ll have to get an agent first.” Regardless of Carter’s post-grad plans, she has left her mark on the women’s basketball program.
“I love the opportunity I was given to play here at a prestigious school like Furman. I get to play basketball with the people I love.”
Carter’s excellent play on the court, leadership, and hardwork are why she is this week’s Influential Paladin.