
Los Angeles Lakers first-round draft pick Cameron Carr took the court for the first time in California Classic Summer League action on Friday night and impressed despite his team getting blown out by the Golden State Warriors.
Carr was the Lakers’ only real source of offense and led them with 19 points, two rebounds and one assist on 7-of-15 shooting and 5-of-11 from deep. After the loss, he talked about how it felt to be on the court in purple and gold for the first time, via Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the L.A. Times:
“It was a great moment,” Carr said of his summer league debut. “It was exciting, a blessing, like I’ve been saying. I’ve been preaching it: just the opportunity to get to step on the court with these dudes, and just learn the way and how they play and how we’re coming together.”
Carr also admitted to feeling a bit nervous, although he was able to overcome that by making two of his first three shots from deep:
“If I said I wasn’t nervous, I’d be lying. I was probably nervous, excited. I just was ready just for the first opportunity for the ball to go up in the air and I just get to compete with these guys.”
It’s only one Summer League game, but the Lakers look like they may have found themselves a gem with the 24th pick out of Baylor. The team is known to be looking to increase its 3-point volume this upcoming season, and having someone like Carr off the bench will certainly help with that.
Carr being a laser from deep does not come as a surprise, but he wants to be known as a two-way player and has set a goal of putting on weight and strength this offseason in order to make it happen.
“First things first, got to put on some weight,” Carr admitted. “That’s going to be an emphasis, be in the weight room as much as possible. It’s going to be my second home. And of course just having great vets in front of you to look up to and learn from, follow in their footsteps and take little things from them and implement it into your life.
“Overall, it’s going to be exciting. I know I keep saying it and it’s repetitive, but man, y’all don’t understand how much of a joy it is and blessing to be here in this situation. So just learn and follow in their footsteps.”
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