George Carter

George Carter (January 10, 1944 – November 18, 2020) was an American professional basketball player and a 1971 American Basketball Association (ABA) All-Star. A standout at St. Bonaventure University, he was drafted by teams in four professional sports leagues: the NBA, ABA, AFL and MLB. His financial struggles and death in 2020 helped draw national attention to former ABA players who lacked NBA pensions, contributing to the establishment of annual recognition payments for eligible former players in 2022.

Carter played at Silver Creek High School in New York, graduating in 1963. He was a two-time all-Western New York selection in basketball. He also played high school football and ran track.

In 2009, as The Buffalo News celebrated 50 years of All-Western New York (WNY) basketball selections; Carter, who was twice an All-WNY first team selection, was a second team selection for the All-time All-WNY team.

Carter played collegiate basketball at St. Bonaventure University.

Carter was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the eighth round of the 1967 NBA draft. He was also selected by the New Orleans Buccaneers in the 1967 ABA Draft. He was also drafted by the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League (AFL) and the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Carter played only one game for the Pistons, and then joined the Washington Caps of the rival American Basketball Association. He went on to play seven seasons in the ABA, spending time with eight teams: the Caps, the Virginia Squires, the Carolina Cougars, the Pittsburgh Condors, the New York Nets, the Memphis Sounds, the Baltimore Claws (preseason games only) and the Utah Stars. Carter represented the Squires in the 1971 ABA All-Star Game. He scored 8,683 combined ABA/NBA career points.

Carter died on November 18, 2020, in Las Vegas.

In the final year of his life, Carter faced medical bills and eviction while undergoing treatment for cancer. The nonprofit Dropping Dimes Foundation helped him, and his circumstances brought attention to the financial struggles of former ABA players who did not qualify for NBA pensions. According to the foundation's co-founder, Carter's death prompted broadcaster Bob Costas to contact NBA commissioner Adam Silver about the issue. In July 2022, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association established annual recognition payments for approximately 115 eligible former ABA players who were not covered by the NBA pension plan.