Kenny Carr

As a youth, Carr was primarily a football player growing up in Washington, D.C., and did not play serious basketball until he was 14-years-old.[1]

"It was kind of by accident, to be honest, but I just fell in love with basketball," Carr recalled. "Plus, back in those days, it was kind of tough to find football shoes that would fit me, to tell the truth."[1]

Carr was a 1974 graduate of DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he played under Hall of Fame coach Morgan Wootten. As a sophomore, he suffered a knee injury. At DeMatha, Carr was teammates with Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley, who graduated a year ahead of Carr. The two would become Olympic teammates and college and NBA rivals. While teammates at DeMatha, Carr and Dantley led DeMatha to a 36 game winning streak.[2]

Carr played at North Carolina State at the varsity level from 1974–1977 under coach Norm Sloan.

As a freshman in 1974–1975, Carr averaged 13.8 points and 7.7 rebounds as NC State finished 22–6. NC State was defending National Champions, with Carr playing alongside Hall of Famer David Thompson, Phil Spence, Monte Towe and Tim Stoddard among others.[3][4]

In 1975–1976 Carr averaged a double-double with 26.6 points, 10.3 rebounds along with 2.1 assists. He led the ACC in scoring as NC State finished 21–9, with Thompson having graduated and moved to the ABA's Denver Nuggets. Carr was named a Third team All-American – UPI, AP and NABC and First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference.[5][1]

As a junior, Carr averaged 21.0 points and 9.9 rebounds as NC State finished 17–11 in 1976–1977, with Carr playing alongside freshman Hawkeye Whitney. Carr led the ACC in scoring again and was named a third team All-American – UPI and First-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference[6] He declared for the NBA draft after the season. "I just thought my body and my game was ready to move on," Carr said of leaving college early. "I was a very physical player and I would get a lot of fouls. I was a little bigger and more aggressive than most people I played against. I got frustrated, and I figured it was time to move on."[1]

In 86 career games for North Carolina State, Carr averaged 20.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals, shooting 51% from the floor and 68% from the line.[3]

"Kenny was a great, great player," reflected long-time N.C. State sports information director Frank Weedon. "But he was so stoic and never showed any emotions, and I think people forget about him. He may have been the second greatest player to ever play here, behind David (Thompson)."[1]

In 674 career games, Carr scored 7,813 (11.6) points, had 4,999 (7.4) rebounds. He shot 51% from the floor and 68% from the line.[11]

Carr, married wife Adrianna in 1979. They raised three children: Cameron, Devon and Alyx.[1]

Carr earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education from North Carolina State, finishing his degree while he was a rookie with the Lakers.[1]

Carr became CEO of Carr Construction in Portland, Oregon. He started the now 110 employee company out of his basement in 1987, while playing with the Trail Blazers.[14]

Carr had intended to return to his hometown of Washington, D.C., but the success of his business and his three children has kept him in Oregon."My kids liked being here, and we were settled," Carr said. "Once that happens, you don't necessarily live your life for yourself anymore. You make compromises."[1]

Today, at Carr Construction, Carr works alongside his son, Devon Carr, a graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in engineering.[14]

• Carr's #32 jersey is retired by NC State Wolfpack men's basketball.[1]
• In 1998, Carr was inducted into the DeMatha Catholic High School Hall of Fame.[15]

• Career statistics at basketball-reference.com