The University of Hawai‘i men's basketball program is set to retire Anthony "AC" Carter's jersey number No. 23.
Carter's jersey number will be retired in the team's home contest on Feb. 21, 2026 against UC Santa Barbara as part of AC Carter Night at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Carter will become just the second player in program history to have his jersey number retired, joining Bob Nash, whose No. 33 was retired in 2020.
After playing his first two years of collegiate basketball at Saddleback Community College, Carter starred at UH from 1996 to 1998, scoring 1,070 points in his two seasons in Mānoa. He was a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference pick and two time All-America honorable mention. Along with Alika Smith, the two guards excited fans with their style of play.
"This is the 106th season of Hawai'i basketball and we have been blessed to have had many teams, coaches, and student-athletes pour their blood, sweat and tears for this program," UH men's basketball head coach Eran Ganot said in a press release. "AC became one of our most popular players on one of our most popular teams and for all the right reasons. His commitment to success extended beyond the court and into the community as you can still feel his impact many years later. It's been a joy to follow his journey as a successful and respected player and coach in the NBA following his storied UH career."
Following his collegiate career, Carter played 14 years in the NBA for six different franchises, the longest NBA career of any Hawai‘i alum.
When his playing career came to an end in 2012, Carter went straight into coaching. He has been on an NBA or G League staff every year since 2013 and is currently an assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies.
"AC is one of the most beloved players in the decorated history of UH sports," Hawai‘i athletics director Matt Elliott said. "He provided Hawai'i fans with some of the most unforgettable moments in program history. He was the centerpiece of a team that captivated our fans and rocked the Stan Sheriff Center on a regular basis. We look forward to welcoming AC and his family back to Mānoa for this well-deserved honor."
Carter's son, Devin, played collegiately at South Carolina and Providence before becoming the 13th overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings.
The 2025-2026 University of Hawai‘i men's basketball regular season begins on Nov. 4 with a road game at Oregon.
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
