Two weeks ago standing in front of cameras, microphones and recorders, Eli Carter described what it was like to finally be back to a healthy state. It was a long, excruciating journey, but one that he never gave up on.
An injury that instantly became an obstacle, Carter dealt with the highs and lows of recovering from a fractured fibula and with it came a timetable he endured.
“Being injured for a whole year, a year and a half really humbled me,” Carter said during the preseason. “It let me know how to not take basketball for granted so it’s been really good. Brought me close to my teammates and my coaches.”
Considering last seasons’ magical run, it seemed like Carter wasn’t even relevant or notable although he sat on the bench next to a history-making team.
Only becoming a witness, that time became the Paterson, New Jersey natives hardest emotional struggle to withstand.
“Watching guys play, make it to the Final Four, obviously I wanted to be out there,” he said. “But I was happy for them as well, but I would say that was the lowest point.”
Now Carter is back.
After only recording three points last season during 53 minutes of playing time and among seven games, Carter put on the best performance to date in a Florida uniform.
From the first points of the game for Florida with an easy lay up, Carter dealt his 21-point game in the best fashion Gator Nation has seen him to yet.
Swiftly making his way around the Barry defenders showed he was capable of slashing his way to the basket. In times he would get caught in traffic, Carter would effectively rotate the ball through his teammates and when one of those teammates found him open he would nail a trey from beyond the arc.
The 6-foot-2 guard demonstrated he will be a valuable asset this season and his teammate, Dorian Finney-Smith, who followed behind Carter with 16 points, understood his performance was a reflection of his hard work.
“It shows you all of the rehab he put in,” Finney-Smith said. “I’m happy for him and happy he’s healthy. He shot the ball well. Eli was limping all through the court last year so you know he wasn’t 100 percent, but now he’s 100 percent and I’m happy he’s playing with confidence.”
What was most important about it all is that Carter was back in a competitive, playing condition and on the court where he hasn’t experienced a complete game since his time with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights two years ago.
Carter has now checked off returning and having a role on the team off his list, but the next thing he’s after now other than helping his team every game is to be back in the form he once played in with the Rutgers. A player who totaled 15 points per game. What will help Carter be back in that elite form?
“Just come down the lane and dunking on someone. Nah I’m joking. I couldn’t do that before,” Carter said in laughter. “Just feeling great, my legs feel great, my feet feel great and just moving and continuing to get better everyday.”