2011 national champion Sydney Carter rises in ranks for Texas A&M

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Sometimes, there really is no place like home.

Or, in Sydney Carter’s case, there’s no place like a second home. 

That’s what Texas A&M is to Carter, its former recruit who is now rising through the ranks in the athletic department. 

Last season, Carter—who lettered for the Aggies from 2008-12—was a video coordinator for the Aggies. Last week, she was promoted to player development/assistant recruiting coordinator. In her new role, she will manage video interns and help the Aggie players hone their skills on the court. 

Carter, 30, will also assist in recruiting efforts, “learning the ins and outs of recruiting, scheduling officials visits, watching potential recruits at tournaments, working with the team and being on the floor with them this year.”

Continuing to rise in her career “at home” in College Station is a dream come true for Carter. “This is all super important to me just because not only is it something that I am comfortable with because I’m around people that I know, but also knowing that the people I am learning from recruited me to come to this school,” she said.

“I know I am learning from people who helped develop my game, so I think that is important,” Carter continued. “It makes me comfortable. I know they know how to do things. I am learning from the best at the end of the day.”

Longtime A&M head coach Gary Blair acknowledged Carter’s ascension and her contributions to the program. 

“Sydney Carter is making the transition from student-athlete, to professional athlete to video coordinator and now assistant,” Blair said in a prepared statement. “She is learning the ropes of every position that we have here at Texas A&M. 

“She has excelled at every step in her career and has done everything that our players aspire to do. Sydney has the ability to teach, relate to young people, has organizational skills and an unmatched work ethic that will make her a great addition to our very diverse staff.”

During Carter’s playing career in an Aggie uniform, she helped lead her team to the 2011 national championship and 2010 Big 12 Tournament championship. 

Per A&M, Carter’s accomplishments while an Aggie included serving as captain three times, and consecutive Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors in 2011 and 2012. She won the team’s Miss Defense Award in each of her last three seasons (2010, 2011, 2012) and the Miss Aggie Award after her senior season.

Carter – who was the 27th pick in the 2012 WNBA draft by Chicago Sky – ranks 10th all-time at A&M in steals (206), tied for 10th in assists (388) and 18th in points (1,176) according to the school.

She played overseas for seven years in countries such as Latvia and Israel and was a three-time Latvian/Estonian Champion (2014, 2016, 2017). Carter was also part of the team and also added an Eastern European League Championship in 2016.

As she settles into her expanded role, Carter, 30, said she “absolutely” has her eyes on a future in coaching. 

“I am trending in the right direction as far as where I want to go because I do want to be an assistant coach at some point. Hopefully, next year because that would be the next step for me,” Carter said. “I know I need to get my feet wet in recruiting. This is a good stepping stone for me to start getting into knowing what it takes to be a good recruiter and knowing my own way to do that. I definitely want to be coaching; for sure assistant coaching is the goal right now.”

In addition to sharing thoughts on her new position, Carter dished on what fans of the Lady Aggies can expect this upcoming season. Carter was there to see the team capture its first-ever Southeastern Conference regular-season championship and advance to the Sweet 16. 

“This season you will see a lot of new faces,” she said. “We lost some leadership and some great seniors last year, but we have some key returners in Jordan Nixon, Kayla Wells and Destiny Pitts. I also think you’ll be excited to see some of those faces you didn’t get to see last year – the freshmen who will be sophomores this year. 

“People will get to see their true talent and what they bring to the team,” Carter continued. “You’ll see a lot more young, exciting basketball. Last year there was a strong veteran presence. With us being so young, this season you’ll see some new faces and some new talent.” 

As the summer winds down and the fall season looms, Carter reflects on her growth at A&M and knows there’s no place like home.

“I am elated to be staying within this organization and elevating in responsibility and role. I am truly living the dream of playing here at A&M, winning championships and coming back to pay it forward,” she said during the school’s official announcement.

“I am so eager to continue to learn and grow within our program while helping to prepare our team for other aspects of life as well!”