Carter-Williams Will Look Good in Orange

Over twenty schools wanted him, including Villanova, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Providence and the Florida Gators, but Hamilton’s Michael Carter-Williams is taking his game to upstate New York to play for the Syracuse Orangemen.

“Syracuse was the best fit for me, it's got what I need,” Carter-Williams said in a recent interview. “I like the school, I like the players and with my interest in pursuing communications, it’s a perfect fit for me.”

The 19-year-old senior point guard is finishing up his career at St. Andrew's Academy in Barrington, Rhode Island.

“The selection process was surreal,” said Michael’s mother, Mandy Zegarwoski. “We were all very excited when he made his final decision to go to Syracuse.”

Before heading out to Syracuse, Carter-Williams continues to add feathers to his cap. He reach the 2,000 point mark during the Primetime Shootout at Kean University in Union, N.J. against Trenton Catholic Academy in mid-February.

Plus, Carter-Williams will have his No. 2 retired at St. Andrew's.

Later this month, Carter-Williams will be able to showcase his talents on national TV in the McDonald’s game, which will be played in Chicago on March 30 and will be on ESPN.

Next month, Carter-Williams will also play in the Jordan Classic game on April 16 that will be televised on ESPN2. The game is an All-American matchup featuring squads from the east and west coasts.

Basketball is in the teenager’s blood. His mother, who works for the Ipswich school system, has coached the Tigers girls' basketball team for eight seasons. His dad Zach coached for many years at , as a basketball assistant.

Zach Zegarowski also served as an assistant coach at Charlestown High School for 10 seasons. The Townies have won six state basketball titles over the years.

Carter-Williams played basketball for the Generals as a ninth grader in 2007-2008, leading Hamilton-Wenham to the Cape Ann League title. He was also named to the Cape Ann League all-star team as a freshman.

Carter-Williams has a sister Masy in eighth grade in Hamilton, and twin brothers in elementary school in Hamilton, Maxwell and Marcus. Carter-Williams also has an 11-year-old brother Adrien, attending school in Malden.

Carter-Williams led the Saints to the prep Class B semi-finals last year, and was ranked a top prep-school prospect by ESPN.

Carter-Williams checks in at 6-foot-5, and 175 pounds, and is the captain for the 2010-2011 season.

“One of Michael’s AAU basketball coaches suggested St. Andrews,” Mandy Zegarowski said. “It’s worked out really well for him, it’s been a very good experience for him in school and playing basketball.”

When he’s not lighting up the scoreboard for the Saints, Carter-Williams sings in the school chorus and is an honor roll student. He also played quarterback on the football field and catcher for the baseball team.

Heading into Senior Night at home against Wilbraham-Munson, the Saints record stands at 23-6, with two games remaining.

“Being away at school really helped me grow, it helped me to mature,” Carter-Williams said.

Carter-Williams scored his 2,000-point earlier this season against New Jersey’s Trenton Catholic.

“The strong points of my game are scoring and passing right now,” Carter-Williams said. “I’ve got to get stronger to be a successful college player.”

“They want me to come in, play my game and generate energy when I’m on the court at Syracuse.”

Carter-Williams credits his parents and his family for helping him get where he is now, a good student and a good athlete ready to play division one college basketball.

“I have a lot of good memories of playing ball for Hamilton-Wenham, but my favorite was beating North Reading at home my freshman year,” Carter-Williams said.

“The crowd was really into it, it was a good game, very exciting.”