Jevon Carter Bio
Leroy Jevon Carter (born September 14, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A point guard by trade, Carter built his reputation as one of the toughest on-ball defenders in college basketball during his four seasons with the West Virginia Mountaineers, where he was a central figure in coach Bob Huggins’ high-pressure “Press Virginia” defensive scheme. After declaring for the 2018 NBA draft, he was selected 32nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies and has since built a steady role as a defensive specialist and reliable rotation guard across multiple franchises.
Early Life and Background
Jevon Carter was born on September 14, 1995, in Maywood, Illinois, and grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago. He attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, where he played basketball primarily off the ball, developing into a competitive guard with quick hands and a strong basketball IQ. Playing for Team NLP in AAU competition from 2011 to 2012, he shared the floor with future NBA guard Jalen Brunson, an experience that helped sharpen his perimeter skills against elite national competition.
Rated as a three-star recruit and ranked No. 299 in the 2014 class by 247Sports.com, Carter was not heavily recruited by top-tier programs. He received scholarship offers from Akron, Dartmouth, Kent State, Lehigh, Toledo, Valparaiso, UW-Green Bay, and Illinois State before committing to West Virginia. The decision to join the Mountaineers placed him in a defensive system that would later define his career and showcase his ball-hawking instincts on a national stage.
Path to Professional Basketball
At West Virginia, Carter converted to the point guard position and quickly became one of the top defensive players in the Big 12 Conference. He was a key architect of “Press Virginia,” the suffocating full-court defensive scheme popularized by head coach Bob Huggins that forces turnovers at a relentless pace. Carter earned a starting role as a sophomore, averaging 9.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while tormenting opposing ball-handlers with his anticipation and footwork.
His junior season in 2016-17 elevated his national profile. Carter averaged 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, the Lefty Driesell Award, and the NABC Defensive Player of the Year. He briefly declared for the 2017 NBA draft without hiring an agent before ultimately returning for his senior year, a move that allowed him to collect additional hardware and cement his legacy in Morgantown.
Jevon Carter Career
Memphis Grizzlies (2018-2019)
Carter was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 32nd overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NBA draft and officially signed his rookie contract on July 12, 2018. During his rookie season he split time between the Grizzlies and their G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, gaining valuable professional experience. He made his NBA debut on December 15, 2018, coming off the bench against the Houston Rockets and finishing with 11 points, 2 steals, a rebound, and a block in just over 19 minutes of action.
On April 10, 2019, Carter erupted for a then-career-high 32 points, along with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal, in a 132-117 win over the Golden State Warriors, signaling the offensive potential that had scouts intrigued. His combination of perimeter defense, shooting, and effort earned him a longer look in Memphis’ rotation by the end of his rookie year.
Phoenix Suns (2019-2021)
On July 7, 2019, the Grizzlies traded Carter to the Phoenix Suns, opening a new chapter in his career. During the 2020 NBA Bubble in Orlando, he delivered one of his most efficient performances of the season, scoring 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 6-of-9 from three-point range, in a 119-112 win over the Miami Heat on August 8, 2020. As a restricted free agent, he signed a three-year, $11.5 million contract to remain with the Suns on November 21, 2020.
Carter’s most significant team accomplishment came in 2021, when he helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals. Phoenix ultimately fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games, but the deep playoff run provided Carter with invaluable postseason experience on a contending roster. His steady defense and growing shooting touch made him a valuable rotation piece during one of the franchise’s most memorable seasons.
Brooklyn Nets (2021-2022)
On August 6, 2021, Carter was traded, along with the draft rights to Day’Ron Sharpe, to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Landry Shamet. With the Nets, he continued to embrace a role as a defensive specialist off the bench, providing energy and ball pressure in limited minutes. His stint in Brooklyn was short, however, as he was waived on February 22, 2022, when the team signed veteran guard Goran Dragić.
Milwaukee Bucks (2022-2023)
On February 24, 2022, Carter signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, joining the defending NBA champions. He made an immediate impact in his first start for the team on April 1, 2022, scoring 18 points and dishing out a season-high 8 assists. On July 6, 2022, he re-signed with the Bucks, signaling the organization’s confidence in his ability to contribute on a contending roster.
On November 9, 2022, Carter delivered a career-defining performance, erupting for a career-high 36 points and 12 assists in a 136-132 double-overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The performance was a testament to his offensive growth and playmaking ability, and it solidified his reputation as more than just a defensive role player. His time in Milwaukee showcased his full skill set and helped him land a significant contract the following summer.
Chicago Bulls (2023-Present)
On July 10, 2023, Carter signed a three-year, $20 million contract with the Chicago Bulls, marking the most lucrative deal of his career. The contract reflected his evolution from second-round pick into a dependable NBA rotation guard known for defense, shooting, and locker-room leadership. In Chicago, he has continued to provide veteran poise, perimeter defense, and timely shooting off the bench for a team building toward a new identity in the Eastern Conference.
Driving Style and Strengths
Carter’s game is built on relentless on-ball defense, elite anticipation, and the ability to disrupt passing lanes, a skill set that traces back to his “Press Virginia” roots. He has steadily improved as a three-point shooter and playmaker, allowing him to operate as a combo guard in modern NBA schemes. His basketball IQ, work ethic, and willingness to embrace specialized roles have made him a trusted piece for multiple contending organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
On November 30, 2017, Carter became West Virginia’s all-time leader in steals, surpassing Greg Jones’ mark of 252 in a win over NJIT. On March 3, 2018, against Iowa State, he became the first major conference player to reach 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 steals in a career. He also won the inaugural Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award in 2018, cementing his place among the greatest college defenders of his generation.
Jevon Carter Career Wins
Jevon Carter’s professional career is defined more by defensive impact and longevity than by headline-grabbing championship hardware, though he reached the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns in 2021. His wins, milestones, and consistent contributions have helped multiple franchises compete at high levels, while his college accolades stand as some of the most decorated defensive résumés in Big 12 history.
NBA and College Highlights
At the NBA level, Carter has been a steady contributor across stops in Memphis, Phoenix, Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Chicago, helping the Suns reach the 2021 NBA Finals. He scored a career-high 36 points with 12 assists in a double-overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 9, 2022, while playing for the Bucks. In college, he won the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, the NABC Defensive Player of the Year twice, and the Lefty Driesell Award twice, in addition to consensus second-team All-American honors in 2018.
Other Wins and Performances
Carter’s AAU experience with Team NLP helped him develop alongside future NBA talent, including Jalen Brunson, foreshadowing his professional trajectory. He also secured the Senior CLASS Award in 2018, recognizing his achievements as a student-athlete who remained in school, and was named the Academic All-American of the Year for Division I men’s basketball, underscoring his excellence in the classroom as well as on the court.
Jevon Carter Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Jevon Carter was raised in Maywood, Illinois, in a community that has produced a long list of talented athletes. His early basketball development at Proviso East High School and in local AAU circuits laid the foundation for his professional career, with family and community support playing an important role in his path to the NBA.
2025 Season Outlook
Entering the 2025 NBA season, Jevon Carter is in the second year of a three-year, $20 million contract with the Chicago Bulls, giving him roster stability and a defined role on a retooling roster. The Bulls are expected to lean on Carter’s perimeter defense, veteran leadership, and improved outside shooting as they look to establish a more competitive identity in the Eastern Conference. His ability to guard multiple positions and provide timely scoring off the bench will be critical to Chicago’s success.
Carter’s familiarity with contending environments in Phoenix and Milwaukee positions him as a stabilizing presence for younger teammates adjusting to expanded roles. With the NBA’s emphasis on switchable defense and three-point shooting, his skill set remains highly relevant in today’s game. If he can replicate the form he showed in Milwaukee, particularly his career-best scoring and playmaking stretch, Carter could emerge as one of the most impactful reserve guards in the Eastern Conference during the 2025 campaign.