D.J. Carton

D.J. Carton's Biography

Desi Justice Carton is a well-known American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association. Apart from the NBA, Carton is also contracted to the Raptors 905, an affiliate in the NBA G League. A dedicated athlete from an early age, Carton’s journey in basketball is full of passion, resilience, and achievements.

Carton was born on August 5, 2000, in Pineville, North Carolina to profoundly athletic parents. His mother, Jennifer, was a talented volleyball player for the University of Colorado, while his father, Desi Wilson, excelled in both basketball and baseball at Fairleigh Dickinson University before a short-lived career with the San Francisco Giants. The influence of his grandfather, Gene Meeker, who played basketball at the University of Iowa in the 1950s, was also critical to Carton. In a significant turn of events, Carton distanced himself from his birth father since the age of four, after his mother’s marriage to Dale Carton.

Throughout his childhood, Carton and his family often found themselves relocating, finally settling in Geneseo, Illinois. This is where the budding basketball genius started developing his skills and passion for the game. Carton pursued his early education at St. Malachy Catholic School and later, the Geneseo Middle School. A multisport athlete, he demonstrated an excellent knack for baseball and football. However, a severe rotator cuff injury during his football career shifted his entire focus towards basketball.

On reaching Bettendorf, Iowa, he joined Bettendorf High School, where he marked his presence in the basketball team as a sophomore. In his junior year, Carton became a first-team all-state pick, averaging a remarkable 26.3 points per game, further complemented by 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. This record-breaking performance brought him much recognition. A stunning senior season saw Carton statistics stand at 24.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. Carton earned the prestigious title, ‘Co-Iowa Mr. Basketball’ in 2019, sharing this honor with Jake Hilmer. Off the school court, Carton played for the Iowa Barnstormers and Quad City Elite in the Amateur Athletic Union.

Carton’s promising talent caught the eye of numerous university scouts. Listed as the 34th best player in his class and a shining four-star recruit, Carton chose to commit to Ohio State on July 14, 2018. He decided to pick Ohio State over other potential offers from Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Marquette, Xavier, and others.

Upon joining Ohio State, Carton was expecting to make a mark as the Big Ten preseason freshman of the year. However, his dreams took a backseat as he started behind CJ Walker at a point guard. Despite this, Carton’s perseverance led him to score a season-high of 19 points in a match against Minnesota on December 15, 2019. In January the following year, he had an impressive performance with 17 points and three assists against Northwestern. A sudden jolt encountered his career when he had to take a break due to mental health issues. Despite these challenges, Carton ended his freshman year as a rising star, scoring an average of 10.4 points with 3.0 assists per game, and shooting at an astounding 40% from 3-point range.

He later transferred to Marquette, where he averaged 13 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game in the 2020 season. He announced his intentions to make it to the NBA and hired an agent soon after the season wrapped up.

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Carton landed a contract with the Charlotte Hornets on August 7, 2021. It wasn’t smooth sailing, however, as Carton was waived on October 8, 2021. He later signed as an affiliate player with the Greensboro Swarm, a part of the NBA G League.

November 2022 saw Carton securing a spot in the opening day roster of the Iowa Wolves. Almost a year later, Carton signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but was waived the following day. He wasted no time and returned to the Iowa Wolves on October 29, 2023.

Soon, the Toronto Raptors saw potential in Carton and offered him a 10-day contract on February 21, 2024. He impressed with his gameplay and was immediately offered a two-way contract, enabling his play for both the Raptors and their G League affiliate, Raptors 905.

Desi Justice Carton’s journey personifies his commitment to his passion for a basketball career. Despite many hurdles and setbacks, he continues to strive for excellence in his game, making him a valuable asset in the NBA.