Jah’lil Carter

Jah’lil Carter is a recent graduate and former basketball player of John F. Kennedy (JFK) High School in Silver Spring MD. For the 2011-12 seasons the 6’2” small forward played for the school’s JV team where he averaged 10.5 points per game and six rebounds. Although playing on the team is one of his top priorities, Carter understands that maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or better keeps him on track for being eligible for a credible college. “I think my involvement with SAFEO and listening to my coaches keep me focused on the big prize,” says Carter.

Carter is a humble young man, but his road to athletic stability has been slow and sometimes uncertain. When he played for a 10 & under team called Force One in Silver Spring, MD, he experienced his first taste of championship-level basketball when his team won the B Team Championship for the organization. “That was one of the happiest times of my life because I got the opportunity to play with guys I went to school with,” explains Carter.

Unfortunately, after that brief moment of adulation, Carter faced a rude awakening and was yanked from the team by his parents because of his lack of performance in the classroom. Carter went through a period of disappointment and despair. The realization that he had to change his study habits, organizational skills, and time management left Carter looking at the “man in the mirror.” He was allowed to play for various recreational teams and attend the annual Gary Williams Camp at the University of Maryland, which enabled him to maintain his basketball skills.

After several years in limbo, the youngster understands the message from his parents loud and clear: “Don’t let basketball use you, use it.” During the off season, Carter has taken the advice of his head coach, Edward Allen at JFK, to jump rope, run, work on his handles and practice his free throws.

Carter will go on to pursue his education at Montgomery College in the fall. We wish Jah’lil all the best.

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