Carrera Inks Deal With Avtodor Saratov In Russia

Aug. 4, 2016

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Former University of South Carolina men’s basketball standout Michael Carrera has signed a professional contract with Avtodor Saratov, a team stationed in Saratov, Russia. Avtodor is part of the top-tier of Russian professional basketball.

Carrera spent the majority of the summer of 2016 before signing with Avtodor Saratov by playing for the Miami Heat in the NBA Summer League. He started three of the 11 games, and averaged 5.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game. Carrera also averaged nearly one steal per game, and took on a larger role with the Heat in the final two summer league games. After not playing more than 24 minutes in the previous contests, Carrera played 26 and 35 minutes in his final two games, respectively.

According to Eurohoops.net, Carrera is the first Venezuelan basketball player ever in the VTB League, and he will also participate in the FIBA Champions League with Avtodor Saratov.

In his final season with the Gamecocks, Carrera had a career year, averaging career highs in every major statistical category, including leading the Gamecocks with 14.5 points per game in overall games, while he finished the SEC campaign averaging 16.1 points per game, which was a team high and ranked eighth in the league. He earned First Team All-SEC honors, and finished his career as one of just six Carolina players with at least 1,000 points and 800 rebounds.