NBL Tribunal Needs Overhaul After a Decade of Inconsistencies
September 16, 2024
Michael Carrera
- Nationality: USA/VEN
- Date of Birth: 7/01/93
- Place of Birth: Anzoátegui (Venezuela)
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 196
- Weight (KG): 98
- Junior Assoc:
- College: South Carolina (2012–2016)
- NBL DEBUT: 22/10/17
- AGE AT DEBUT: 24
- LAST NBL GAME: 9/11/17
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 24
- NBL History: Cairns 2018
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Michael Carrera was born in Anzoátegui (Venezuela).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Michael Carrera made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 24 years of age. He scored 15 points in his first game.
After finishing second with a 15-13 record before losing their semifinal series 2-0 to Perth the previous season, Cairns returned under coach Aaron Fearne with Cameron Gliddon remaining captain. Travis Trice (to Brisbane), Mark Worthington (retired) and Fuquan Edwin (to Kauhajoki) departed, while Scoochie Smith (via Dayton), Michael Carrera (via Marinos de Anzoátegui) and Kuany Kuany (via Chaminade) joined the roster. Fearne said the Venezuelan forward would “bring a fantastic competitive spirit and a high-level of physicality to us this year.” However, during a preseason win over Perth on September 23, the new import suffered a medial meniscal tear in his right knee and underwent surgery, ruling him out for four to six weeks, with Jerry Evans Jr (via Sandringham) brought in as an injury replacement.
Cairns opened the season at home against Illawarra on October 6 with their new import still recovering from knee surgery. Loughton (19 points) made the game-winning free throw in the final second as the Taipans defeated the Hawks 88-87, with McCarron (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) also contributing, while AJ Ogilvy (22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra.
Carrera (14.2 points and 3.6 rebounds across 5 games) missed Cairns’ opening four games while recovering from knee surgery before being cleared to make his NBL debut against Perth on October 22.
Carrera (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) made an immediate impact in his debut, hitting both of his three-point attempts as Cairns handed previously unbeaten Perth its first loss of the season with a 90-69 win at the Cairns Convention Centre. McCarron (18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Smith (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) helped the Taipans improve to 3-2 and move into the top four, while JP Tokoto (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Perth. A fourth-quarter incident involving Carrera sparked a melee and he was initially charged with unreasonable contact to the face, carrying a possible two-game suspension, but Cairns successfully had the charge downgraded from intentional to careless. Carrera accepted a $750 fine for the contact and a further $375 fine for engaging in the melee and remained available to play, meaning he did not miss any games through suspension.
Carrera’s best game of the season came against Adelaide on October 27, where he finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks as Cairns fell 84-80 at home. Loughton (15 points) and Smith (14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) provided support as Carrera helped the Taipans recover from a seven-point first-quarter deficit to lead at half-time, while Daniel Johnson (20 points and 11 rebounds) led Adelaide.
Carrera (19 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) again led Cairns against Melbourne on November 2, but the Taipans were beaten 87-65 at Hisense Arena. Heuir (10 points) and Gliddon (8 points and 5 rebounds) were Cairns’ next highest scorers, while Casper Ware (26 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Melbourne.
Two nights later Carrera (16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) produced another strong all-round game against New Zealand before fouling out during the fourth quarter. Loughton (13 points) and Smith (12 points and 6 rebounds) helped Cairns take a lead into the final period, but Edgar Sosa made a three-pointer with two seconds remaining to give the Breakers a 73-70 win, with Kirk Penney (16 points) leading New Zealand.
Carrera’s fifth and final NBL game came against Melbourne on November 9. Carrera (2 points) had played just three minutes and 34 seconds when, while chasing a breakaway early in the first quarter, he landed awkwardly on his right foot and was left in severe pain before being taken to hospital for scans. Cairns responded to his departure behind Gliddon (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Smith (17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals), thrashing Melbourne 92-69, while Ware (12 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) was among United’s leading scorers.
The ankle injury ultimately ended Carrera’s time with the Taipans. After more than a month of rehabilitation without the injury responding as quickly as hoped, Cairns and Carrera agreed to end his contract on December 14. Having already missed the beginning of the season following knee surgery, the second serious injury restricted him to five consecutive starts and 71 points before he returned home to Venezuela to continue his recovery and spend Christmas with his family.
Gliddon (12.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals across 28 games), Loughton (12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds across 28 games) and McCarron (11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.2 steals across 28 games) became Cairns’ leading contributors, while Smith (10 points and 3 rebounds across 28 games), Weeks (8.3 points across 28 games), Evans Jr (7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds across 22 games), Weigh (5.7 points across 18 games), Jawai (5.4 points across 7 games) and Egwu (5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) provided support. Gliddon and McCarron shared the Taipans’ Most Valuable Player award, while Loughton collected the Members’ Choice MVP, Coaches Award and Players’ Player awards and McCarron was named Best Defensive Player.
The season was also Fearne’s last as head coach, with Cairns deciding not to renew his contract following a 19-year association with the organisation, including nine seasons as head coach.
Carrera had been released more than two months earlier when Cairns closed the season against Perth at Perth Arena on February 18, where Gliddon (12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Evans Jr (12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the Taipans, while Cotton (24 points and 6 assists) powered the Wildcats to an 89-61 win. Cairns finished sixth with an 11-17 record and missed the playoffs.
Michael Carrera played one season in the NBL. He averaged 14.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1 assists in 5 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 25 | Cairns | 11-17 (6) | 5 | 91.5 | 71 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 15 | 25 | 58 | 43% | 5 | 13 | 38% | 16 | 22 | 73% | 52% | 47% | 19 | Totals | 5 | 92 | 71 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 15 | 25 | 58 | 43.1% | 5 | 13 | 38.5% | 20 | 45 | 44.4% | 46% | 47% | 19 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 25 | Cairns | 11-17 (6) | 5 | 18.3 | 14.2 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 11.6 | 43% | 1.0 | 2.6 | 38% | 3.2 | 4.4 | 73% | 52% | 47% | 19 | Total | 5 | 18.3 | 14.2 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 11.6 | 43.1% | 0.1 | 38.5% | 1.0 | 2.6 | 44.4% | 46% | 47% | 19 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 19 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Carrera was a part of Venezuela national team for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. There, he averaged 10 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist during the tournament.
In 2023, Carrera played for Venezula at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The team finished last in the tournament with a record of 0-5.
FIBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 30 | 2 | 45 | 15 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 27.8% | 2 | 6 | 33.3% | 3 | 4 | 75.0% |
| 2019 | 26 | 5 | 82 | 50 | 25 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 28 | 53.6% | 0 | 3 | 0.0% | 20 | 26 | 76.9% | Total | 7 | 127 | 65 | 31 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 8 | 14 | 4 | 8 | 20 | 46 | 43% | 2 | 9 | 22% | 23 | 30 | 77% |
FIBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 30 | 2 | 22.5 | 7.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 9.0 | 27.8% | 1.0 | 3.0 | 33.3% | 1.5 | 2.0 | 75.0% |
| 2019 | 26 | 5 | 16.4 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 5.6 | 53.6% | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.0% | 4.0 | 5.2 | 76.9% | Total | 7 | 18.1 | 9.3 | 4.4 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 6.6 | 43% | 0.3 | 1.3 | 22% | 3.3 | 4.3 | 77% |
NBA EXPERIENCE
After his short stint in Australia, Carrera moved to the NBA G League side Oklahoma City Blue in late 2017 where he averaged 7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Russia - Avtodor Saratov (2016–2017) | Venezuela - Marinos de Anzoátegui (2017), Trotamundos de Carabobo (2019), Supersónicos de Miranda (2020), Guaiqueríes de Margarita (2021), Gladiadores de Anzoátegui (2022–2023) | Mexico - Soles de Mexicali (2018–2019) | Argentina - Obras Sanitarias (2018) | Germany - Brose Bamberg (2019), Hamburg Towers (2019–2020) | Spain - Força Lleida (2020–2023), Gran Canaria (2023), Estudiantes (2023–2024)
Michael Carrera spent the 2016–2017 season in Russia with Avtodor Saratov, where he averaged 7.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game while also appearing in 17 VTB United League games and sharing the frontcourt with teammates including Nick Minnerath and Branden Frazier.
Carrera spent the 2017 season in Venezuela with Marinos de Anzoátegui, where he averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in domestic league play.
Carrera spent the 2018–2019 stretch in Mexico with Soles de Mexicali in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional, winning the 2018 LNBP championship in a title run that included import teammates Eugene Phelps and Chane Behanan, with Soles also using a starting group that included Joe Soto and Ricas Martínez.
In 2018, Carrera played in Argentina with Obras Sanitarias, where he averaged 6.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.
Carrera returned to Venezuela in 2019 with Trotamundos de Carabobo, where he was part of a Copa LPB championship season in 2019.
On 19 September 2019, Carrera signed in Germany with Brose Bamberg of the Basketball Bundesliga, and on 26 November 2019 he joined fellow BBL side Hamburg Towers, producing 13.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for Hamburg during the 2019–2020 season alongside teammates including point guard Maodo Lô.
On 17 October 2020, Carrera signed in Venezuela with Supersónicos de Miranda of the SuperLiga Profesional de Baloncesto before shifting back to Spain, and on 14 July 2021 he signed with Força Lleida in the LEB Oro, where he later delivered a 2022–2023 campaign as the league’s top scorer at 20.3 points per game while also averaging 9.3 rebounds with a 25.3 performance index rating across 23 games.
Carrera spent the 2021 season in Venezuela with Guaiqueríes de Margarita before returning to Gladiadores de Anzoátegui in 2022–2023, and during the 2023 SPB finals he posted a 16-point, 4-rebound, 3-assist line in Game 2 against Guaros de Lara while playing alongside teammates including Jordan Adams and Gregory Vargas, then finished the season as an SPB champion in 2023.
On 15 March 2023, Carrera signed with Gran Canaria in Spain’s Liga ACB until the end of the season after the injury to Damien Inglis, joining a roster that included Khalifa Diop and later finishing as part of Gran Canaria’s 2023 EuroCup championship-winning team.
Carrera spent the 2023–2024 season in Spain with Estudiantes in the second-tier Primera FEB, leading the team in scoring at 15.5 points per game while also averaging 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest, and he was part of the Estudiantes group that won the 2024 Copa Princesa de Asturias alongside teammates including Francis Alonso, Alec Wintering and Kevin Larsen.
COLLEGE
Michael Carrera played college basketball for South Carolina from 2012–13 through 2015–16, appearing in 122 games and finishing his Gamecocks career with 1,143 points and 800 rebounds, which left him ranked 30th in program history in points and sixth in rebounds, while posting career per-game averages of 9.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 0.7 assists across four seasons.
As a freshman in 2012–13, Carrera made an instant impact, earning SEC All-Freshman Team honours after playing 27 games with 22 starts while averaging 9.9 points and a team-best 7.2 rebounds per game, finishing the season ranked sixth in the SEC in rebounds per game (7.2) and offensive rebounds per game (3.0) while producing 12 double-figure scoring games, six double-figure rebounding games, and five double-doubles.
That first season included a double-double in his college debut with 17 points and 15 rebounds in an overtime win over UW–Milwaukee, SEC Freshman of the Week recognition on November 12, an 18-point outing against Missouri State that included a game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime, a 23-point performance in the win at LSU on January 16 where he scored 21 of his points in the second half and overtime, and another double-double against Tennessee on February 10 with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
In 2013–14 as a sophomore, Carrera played 33 games with 20 starts and averaged 6.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, and 0.8 steals in 19.7 minutes, with his SEC-only production rising to 5.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, while he logged six double-figure scoring games, 18 games with at least six rebounds, and a double-double at Missouri on January 25 with a season-high 16 points and 11 rebounds.
In 2014–15 as a junior, Carrera appeared in 30 games with 21 starts and averaged 7.1 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds per game while adding 0.7 blocks, and his conference numbers climbed again to 7.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in SEC play, with an eight-game closing stretch where he averaged 11.9 points and 6.9 rebounds, including 17 points and nine rebounds against Texas A&M, plus a 16-point, six-rebound, three-steal line in the SEC Tournament against Ole Miss.
As a senior in 2015–16, Carrera produced the breakout season that pushed him into the league’s top tier, earning All-SEC First Team honours from the SEC coaches, Associated Press All-SEC Second Team selection, and NABC All-District Second Team recognition while leading South Carolina in scoring and rebounding and piling up milestone moments such as his 1,000th career point and 700th career rebound, making him one of seven Gamecocks all-time to reach 1,000 points with at least 700 rebounds.
During his time there he averaged 14.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assist per game, and that senior-year production included 10 double-doubles overall with eight coming in SEC play, a career-high 34 points and 15 rebounds in the home win over Mississippi State on January 26, a 20-point, 15-rebound performance in the home win over Florida, and a 20-point, 11-rebound night in the win over Alabama as he finished his South Carolina career as one of the program’s most productive rebounders of the SEC era.
AWARDS
- LNBP champion (2018)
-
Copa LPB champion (2019)
-
EuroCup champion (2023)
-
SPB champion (2023)
-
Copa Princesa de Asturias champion (2024)
Related
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