Wendell Carter Jr. attended Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. Wendell dominated the high school scene, and it was evident that he would be a big-time recruit right away. As a sophomore in high school, he averaged 21.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks per game. Not to mention, they were also winning games. Pace Academy went 27-3 that year and captured the regional title. The following year, Wendell went on to average 21.6 points and 13.6 rebounds, showing more progress. He led Pace Academy to a Class AA State Championship by dropping 30 points and grabbing 20 rebounds in the title game. In his final year in high school, the senior improved once again by averaging 22.7 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 5.5 blocks per game. WOW! This earned him invites to the Jordan Brand Classic, Bike Hoop Summit, and the McDonald’s All-American Game.

Wendell’s parents are very involved in his life, and take academics as a major priority. When hearing of the schools he could attend, his mother was pushing for him to go to Harvard. She wanted him to get the best education he could possibly get, while still being able to showcase his basketball talent. Instead, Wendell and his parents made a compromise for Duke University. They knew he would get both a solid education while providing himself a large platform for his basketball career. 

Wendell played only one season for Duke. On the season he averaged 13.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. His first big game came on November 18, where Wendell tallied 20 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Southern. He followed that up with an 18 point and 12 rebounds double-double against the Indiana Hoosiers. Wendell topped these numbers with a 23 point and 12 rebound affair against Wake Forest on January 24. After being knocked out of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Wendell Carter Jr. declared for the 2018 NBA Draft. Prior to his departure, he was named Second-Team All-ACC and Second-Team ACC All-Freshman.

The Chicago Bulls snatched their big man of the future with the seventh overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Wendell Carter Jr. was selected seventh overall on June 21, 2018. He officially penned his name for the Chicago Bulls on July 3, 2018. Wendell went on to make his NBA debut on October 18, against the Philadelphia 76ers. In his debut, Carter Jr. managed to tally eight points, three rebounds, three assists, and one block. His first big NBA outing came on October 31, 2018, where he scored 25 points and added eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and three steals against the Denver Nuggets. This total package game provided great excitement for the city of Chicago. Less than a month later, Wendell set a new career-high with 28 points in a loss to the Detroit Pistons. Unfortunately, on March 24, 2019, Wendell was forced to miss the rest of the season due to left thumb surgery. In the following season, Wendell has missed extended periods of time due to the lingering injury.