Before deciding to solely play football at Ohio State, Cris Carter was considering the idea of being a two-sport athlete and taking up basketball as well. Why? Because Carter was pretty good on the hardwood. So much so that the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee claims that "over 30 schools" recruited him, including "all the teams in the Big Ten."
When he was 15 years old, Carter went to a summer basketball camp where he faced future NBA greats Patrick Ewing and Michael Jordan. Clearly fascinated by Carter's tidbit about His Airness, Colin Cowherd asked Cris to speak more about his time with a 17-year-old Jordan. "There was no doubt after I saw him, with over 200 coaches watching him play, I'm courtside in an All-Star Game at the camp, did I know that Michael Jordan was sure enough special," Carter admits.
As for what comparison he could make for a young MJ, Carter saw a "more athletic" and better shooting version of Dr. J. “He was a more athletic version of Julius Erving, and he could shoot better than Julius Erving," Carter recalls. "And he was mean. He played defense. Now, we’re playing outside on hard courts. Wind’s blowing, and, 17 years old, I mean, he was relentless. He could score. He could make every move. He played defense. He'd try to block every shot.”
No one would ever deny that Jordan has been and still is a fierce competitor. But to see the incredible potential at such a young age? Not everyone can say that.
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