Who? He's a guard, a sophomore, playing for Hawaii. Who cares and why is this in the hangout instead of the college forum? This is more of a human interest story, but what story. The guy is from Newfoundland and Labrador, a small, isolated, very colourful, but very depressed province clinging to the easternmost edge of Canada. This province has a total population of 580,000, and an unemployment rate of 17%, due in large part to a significant decline in the fish stocks which has thrown many of the fishermen and fishing industry workers out of work. Newfoundland has produced some pretty good hockey players, there are a couple in the NHL right now, but it isn't a hotbed of basketball by any stretch of the imagination. There is a city, St. John's, where you might be able to find enough players to get a game going every now and then, but Carl didn't come from the city. He comes from a small fishing village, population about 50, give or take a few. No playground pick-up hoops here. He set up a hoop on the edge of the "highway" in front of his house because it was the only paved flat area around. He painted a free throw line and a 3 point arc, on the highway. Yes, we're talking remote. But his story just starts here. His parents were both killed in a house fire when he was 5. He was separated from his brothers and sisters and was raised by an uncle and his family. Unbelievably and tragically, this uncle himself suddenly died of a heart attack two years ago, when Carl was out fishing with him. Did I forget to mention that the guy is good? He's a 6'5" guard who played 32 minutes a game, averaging 15.7 points, 5 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He's said to have some NBA potential. I hope he makes it, because the royalties from the movie alone would probably set him and his family up for life. This guy is a survivor. Good on ya bye! Here is a story on him from last year. http://archive.sportserver.com/generic/story/0,1673,500464228-500708632-503895414-0,00.html There was a feature on him on a Canadian sports show today. It should be archived here soon. http://www.tsn.ca/extra/
