Markus Carr: Ballin and Business in Europe

by Slav Kandyba NBA vets Earl Watson and Matt Barnes probably would rather forget the night of Nov. 22, 2000, when their 15th-ranked UCLA team hosted unranked Cal State Northridge Matadors. The Matadors had beaten Fresno State and Oregon in the previous season, but never in their history have they taken down a ranked team. UCLA, in turn, hadn’t lost a home game to a nonconference Southern California school in 15 years. All that changed that night as the Matadors upset the Bruins, 78-74. Running the point for the Matadors was athletic senior guard Markus Carr, whose steady distribution, playmaking and wise shot selection helped the Matadors make history. The win set the tone for a great season for Carr and his teammates, which ended in the first round NCAA tournament in a defeat to Kansas. After the season, Carr flirted with the NBA but ultimately wound up playing overseas. Instead of just collecting a check and returning home year after year, however, he’s made the most of his oppo...