Kings Rookie Devin Carter Undergoes Left Shoulder Surgery

The Sacramento Kings announced Thursday that rookie guard Devin Carter underwent left shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. Carter, 22, will be re-evaluated in approximately six months.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Harlan Selesnick at Baptist Health Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables, Florida. Carter will begin the rehabilitation process and is expected to make a full recovery.

Sacramento Kings rookie guard Devin Carter is slated to return in January 2025

“Sac! Thank you for believing in me,” Devin Carter posted on social media. “I’ll be back soon and can’t wait to show y’all this dawg you have.” He also posted a picture of himself while lying in the hospital bed, saying, “Light the beam.”

Carter was selected 13th overall by Sacramento in last month’s 2024 NBA draft out of Providence College. In 96 college games (73 starts), he averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 29 minutes per contest.

Sac ! Thank you for believing in me. I’ll be back soon and can’t wait to show yall this dawg you have.

— Devin Carter (@kingcarter2225) July 11, 2024

Cncsjncfh- light the beam💜 pic.twitter.com/EqMiQuKyWN

— Devin Carter (@kingcarter2225) July 11, 2024

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard spent his freshman 2021-22 season at the University of South Carolina before transferring to Providence College, where he spent the past two years.

During his freshman season in 30 games (seven starts), he averaged 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 18.7 minutes per game. He also shot 42% from the field, 26.7% from 3-point range, and 68.8% at the free throw line.

Carter led the Big East in points per game, defensive win shares last season

In the 2022-23 season at Providence, he averaged 13 points, 4.9 boards, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.1 blocks, and 32 minutes per contest in 33 games (all starts). Plus, he shot 42.7% from the floor and 29.9% from beyond the arc.

During his junior 2023-24 season with the Friars, he averaged career highs of 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 35.3 minutes per game in 33 contests (all starts).

In addition to averaging 1.8 steals and 1.0 block per game, Carter shot career bests of 47.3% from the field, 37.7% from deep, and 74.9% at the line. He was selected to the first-team All-Big East. The guard won Big East Player of the Year as well.

According to the Sports-Reference database, Carter led the Big East last season in points per game (19.7), defensive win shares (2.7), defensive rebound percentage (23.7%), and points produced per game (18.8).

Additionally, he also finished third in total rebounds (286) and second in defensive rebounds (253). Not to mention, the guard was fourth in player efficiency rating (25.6), second in defensive box plus/minus (5.0), and second in defensive rating (94.5).

Kings’ offseason moves

The Sacramento Kings have made a number of offseason changes.

On NBA draft night, the Kings acquired forward Jalen McDaniels from the Toronto Raptors. Sacramento traded Davion Mitchell, Aleksandar Vezenkov, the draft rights to Jamal Shead, and a 2025 second-round draft pick.

Sacramento also re-signed sixth man Malik Monk to a four-year, $78 million contract. His new contract includes a player option. Monk, 26, finished as the 2023-24 NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year runner-up behind Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid.

Furthermore, the Kings recently acquired guard DeMar DeRozan in a three-team sign-and-trade with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs.

Sacramento traded away forward Harrison Barnes and an unprotected 2031 pick swap to the Spurs. Chicago received Chris Duarte, two second-round draft picks, and cash considerations from the Kings.

The Kings are coming off their second consecutive winning season.