Michigan State University Athletics
Ben Carter: Staying Positive
2/11/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Cassi White, MSU Athletic Communications
At just one-year-old, Ben Carter and his family packed up their bags and moved all the way from Israel to Las Vegas, Nevada. Little did he know, that would be only the first of a few big moves in his lifetime.
"Vegas is home, but Israel is home as well. Israel is where my roots are, it's where I consider myself from," explained Carter.
Once he moved to the United States, his mother wanted to ensure her son upheld their religion, so Carter attended a Jewish school for his first years of schooling.
"I definitely embrace the religion, I embrace the culture. I tell people all the time, I'm Israeli. Obviously, I'm an American- I'm a dual-citizen. But, I definitely identify as Israeli when people ask me," explained Carter.
While an Israeli heritage has and will forever be a prominent influence in Carter's life, there is something else entirely that has been a major contributor to his character today. Basketball.
Raised in a basketball family, his father, Mike Carter, played college basketball at Drury University in Missouri. Carter Sr. went on to win a National Championship and furthered his career by playing professionally overseas for over a decade with stints in multiple countries including Israel.
"I've always wanted to win a National Championship because he's got one so that was my goal. That also had something to do with me coming to Michigan State," Carter said. "My dad has always been very instrumental in my life in teaching me basketball and teaching me how to be a man."
Coming out of high school, Carter made his first step in furthering his basketball career with the University of Oregon. After his sophomore season he moved back to where he was raised and played for the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
A few years later, coaching changes at UNLV caused Carter to make a serious decision regarding his basketball career and future. He decided to open up his recruitment as a graduate transfer to allow other college coaches to contact him.
"Coach Izzo called me and it was a little bit of a shock at first. He was like, ‘How's it going Ben, this is Tom Izzo,' and I was like, ‘Oh, wow. How's it going?'" Carter smiled, reminiscing on the moment.
After being recruited by multiple different schools, he was able to take five visits to evaluate the different campuses and staffs, and then make his final decision. Michigan State was the first visit on his list and ended up being the only visit he needed to take.
"Coach Izzo really made it seem like it was a place for me, like I could help the team. Unfortunately, a knee injury ended my season right before it started. So, as of now I'm just getting my graduate degree and helping my team in any way I can," Carter said.
Coach Izzo and the rest of the coaching staff admire and appreciate the positivity that Carter has been able to maintain throughout this time of adversity. All throughout rehab and sitting out of practice and games, he has remained remarkably optimistic.
"Ben has been an unbelievable kid as far as how he came in here. It is almost criminal how it has worked out for him. He has been such a good teammate and such a good guy around the building. We love him. Hopefully things will work out for him one way or another," Coach Izzo said.
The feeling is nothing short of mutual as Carter gives credit to Coach Izzo and the entire Spartan basketball family for his disposition through the circumstances of his injury.
"When life gives you a certain situation you have to just make the best of it and it's not easy," Carter said. "I think about it a lot. I think about just being here and what my purpose is, but everything happens for a reason. I've always believed that in any situation I've ever been in. It's really a testament to the kind of program Coach Izzo has and the culture that he has created here because even though I went down and got hurt, all the guys on the team, all the guys on the staff, everyone in the program has made me feel like I belong here and it's helped me a lot.
Finding ways to be a resource for his teammates off the court has not been as difficult as most would think. He's been able to act as a mentor for his team. Carter's seen and been through a lot. This is his third school and third collegiate basketball team. While some may consider that to be a bad thing, he considers it to be a blessing.
"I've been able to experience so many different cultures, different areas, different people. I've learned so much from the different cultures I've played for and the different players I've played with. The fact that we have such a young team this year, I think that's something that people really appreciate about me. I'm able to help with my experience and help guys out with the different struggles they may go through because I've more than likely been through it," Carter said.
The graduate transfer has been able to use his religion, his family and his team to remain optimistic about his injury and his future playing basketball.
"My mother always instilled characteristics that were important for me as far as working hard and being honest and that helps a lot with this," Carter said.
"I just try to live my life day by day and leave the future for God to decide and that's kind of how I live. Obviously I'm going to do everything I can to play here, to be healthy again and to play basketball again, but where that is I don't know."
The attitude that Carter maintains is second to none as he walks around with a smile on his face and always looks at the brighter side.
"I could be anywhere in the world right now, but I'm here working and pursuing my Masters, and trying to play for a Hall of Fame Coach and an amazing program at that. Michigan State basketball is one of the best programs in the country and has been for a long time."
