Carroll Big East Bound
Austin Carroll made a verbal commitment to Rutgers University on Tuesday afternoon, selecting the Scarlet Knights over Harvard University. Carroll is currently in the midst of a post-graduate year at Brewster Academy after having spent the last three years at Worcester Academy. On the grassroots circuit, Carroll has played with the New England Playaz during that time.
Carroll, the son of former Boston Celtics and Duquesne head coach John Carroll, has been one of New England's most analyzed players since he was an underclassmen. But throughout the entire process he handled himself with maturity and class, proving his worth both on and off the basketball court.
Ultimately, Carroll earned the right to choose between the best of two different worlds - playing his college basketball in the conference he grew up dreaming of or attending one of the top academic institutions in the world.
"It was one of the hardest decisions of my life," Carroll told the New England Recruiting Report. "I had formed a really really strong relationship with Coach Amaker, and the entire Harvard staff for that matter, and was really impressed with the entire program and the way they were doing things."
"Growing up in the northeast, I grew up dreaming of playing in the Big East," he continued, "and I felt really comfortable with the coaching staff and the players on my visit, so it just felt like the right fit."
Carroll, who also had a pre-existing relationship with players like Mike Rosario and Greg Enrique, will provide Rutgers with a highly intelligent player who can make decisions with the ball, pass the ball exceptionally well, and space the floor with his shot making.
Upon realizing his dream of playing his college basketball in the Big East, Carroll was quick to express his gratitude to those who have helped him along the way.
"I spent three years of the most important years of my life at Worcester Academy with Coach Reilly and he helped me grow up as a player and a person," he said. "I came to Brewster Academy this year because Coach Smith had a high standing program and it provided me with another year to work on my skills."
"I also owe [New England Playaz director] T.J. [Gassnola] a lot for the exposure he provided me with each and every spring and summer and for everything he's done for me."
Another person Carroll wanted to thank was his father, who has coached him for the vast majority of his career on the AAU and grassroots circuit.
"As I've matured I have realized that everything my father has said and done, even if I didn't always agree with it, he's had my best interests at heart," he said. "I wouldn't be where I am now if he hadn't put the time in with me and pushed me to be my best on and off the court."
Austin Carroll