What kind of player is Rutgers getting in Shaq Carter?

Rutgers' most recent basketball commit is expected to help out in the frontcourt right away when he arrives next year. Class of 2018 power forward Shaq Carter of Eastern Florida State College (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) brings a big presence from the junior college ranks.

Carter’s head coach at Eastern Florida, Jeremy Shulman, talked about what kind of player Rutgers is getting.

“Shaq is a big strong tough physical player. He is an outstanding rebounder, and on offense is a surprisingly outstanding passer from the post. Shaq just needs experience. He only played one semester of high school basketball, so he is learning at a rapid rate. He just needs experience.”

A lack of experience does not mean that Carter (6-foot-9, 240 pounds) has not been making strides.

“Shaq has really developed because of his incredible work ethic, and how coachable he is. Shaq has developed in all areas,” Shulman said. “Rutgers is getting an outstanding player who can come in and start from day one. He will be physically and mentally mature and ready to make an impact in the big ten right away.”

And what is Carter like off the court?

“Shaq is an absolutely amazing person. He is incredibly high character, and as good of a person is you will meet,” Shulman said. “This also carries over to the court and make him a very coachable, hard-working kid.”

Rutgers identified Carter early and the coaching staff made it a point to make him a priority recruit.

“Head coach Pikiell has been absolutely outstanding in the whole process,” Shulman said. “No head coach spent as much time and effort recruiting Shaq as he did. He is an outstanding coach and both Shaq and myself felt very comfortable with him.”

Shulman also responded when asked who Carter resembles as a player.

“He reminds me as a player of last year's Juco National Player of the Year, Shakur Juiston, who is now at UNLV. Tough, long, rebounder that can pass and is versatile enough to face up and make plays as well.”