Grizzlies assistant Anthony Carter gets to see son Devin's NBA debut — from opposing bench

Grizzlies assistant Anthony Carter gets to see son Devin’s NBA debut — from opposing bench

Posted by author January 4, 2025 NBA

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Anthony Carter made one request.

The Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach told the team he would stand and clap when Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter made his first basket.

Even though Devin Carter plays for the opposing team, there were no objections to Anthony Carter’s request.

Carter has the unique opportunity of watching his son’s NBA debut during Friday night’s matchup between the Grizzlies and Kings.

So he’ll celebrate his son’s first NBA points, and then the competitive fire will kick in.

“Other than that, I want the win,” Anthony Carter said.

Devin Carter was the 13th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. His father was there, seated alongside him on draft night in New York City. Anthony also was there for Devin’s introductory news conference in Sacramento.

Anthony Carter remembers the uncertainty before the draft. Devin was dealing with a shoulder injury and they were unsure if an NBA team would take a chance on him.

Devin got surgery in July, and after a string of rehab games, his NBA debut will come with his father seated on the opposing bench.

“I’m just a little bit nervous. Not knowing what to expect,” Anthony Carter said. “I know how much hard work he put in behind the scenes with his rehab and stuff.”

“It’s just a great feeling to be able to say that your son made it to the NBA,” he later added.

About 80 minutes before tipoff, Anthony sat down on the courtside bench. One seat to his right was his son.

A 10-minute conversation proceeded. The two regularly have these talks before games, but Friday night was different.

This time, the father was wearing Grizzlies gear, and his son donned Kings shorts and purple sneakers.

“It’s just a blessing,” Devin Carter said. “Especially to play my first NBA game in front of him. Something you dream of as a kid.”

The nostalgia started to set in on the journey from Anthony Carter. He remembers the long days of when he was in the NBA and would workout with his son after games around the midnight hour.

He also remembers the choice. While Carter had a 13-year NBA career, he didn’t care if his son chose basketball or any other sport.

But Devin Carter made his choice early, so the two put in years and years of work towards that goal. A goal that resulted in a standout college career at Providence and becoming an NBA lottery pick.

“At the end of the day, I played basketball because I loved it,” Carter said. “Me telling him that just definitely built our bond a little bit more as well.”

Kings coach Doug Christie said Carter will play. Christie wants Carter to focus on defense and making the hustle plays.

Even if those hustle plays result in a little family fire.

“You might dive on a ball and take pops out, you never know,” Christie said.

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.