{"id":961155,"date":"2026-11-12T00:00:14","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T00:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/961155\/"},"modified":"2026-11-12T00:00:14","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T00:00:14","slug":"its-forever-lakers-rookie-cameron-carr-cherishing-first-nba-points","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/961155\/","title":{"rendered":"‘It’s forever’: Lakers rookie Cameron Carr cherishing first NBA points"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The son of former NBA dunk contest runner-up Chris Carr, Lakers<\/a> rookie Cameron Carr<\/a> envisioned his first NBA points coming on a lob. When asked before the draft in April, the first-round pick knew that if not on a sky-high alley-oop his first bucket would at least be something athletic. <\/p>\n

He now gives himself half-credit for calling his shot.<\/p>\n

The 21-year-old Lakers guard scored his first NBA points on a fastbreak dunk Monday in Atlanta, making the most of his opportunities during the Lakers\u2019 hot start.<\/p>\n

Carr had two points and three rebounds in seven minutes and 19 seconds in the Lakers\u2019 win over the Atlanta Hawks<\/a> in the first significant playing time of his professional career. The Lakers, who finish a three-game, four-day road trip in Milwaukee on Wednesday, have the top record in the NBA at 10-2 with a six-game winning streak.<\/p>\n

Carr helped extend the Lakers\u2019 streak by bolstering a shorthanded lineup against the Hawks. The Lakers needed the rookie Monday when they were without Austin Reaves (illness) and Quentin Grimes (right finger sprain).<\/p>\n

Three weeks into his NBA career, Carr, the 24th overall pick the Lakers traded up to acquire<\/a> from the New York Knicks, said he is still nervous any time he subs into a game. Getting the first of what he hopes will be many NBA points helped settle his nerves.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver time it\u2019s only going to grow, it\u2019s only going to get better,\u201d Carr said. \u201cI\u2019m only going to get more and more confident, so every time I get a chance to step out there, just show what I can do and of course show my talents through God\u2019s work.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 6-foot-5 guard is a skilled scorer and an athletic marvel. He couldn\u2019t even touch the rim when, one summer, he begged his father, who was the runner-up in the 1997 dunk contest to Kobe Bryant, to teach him to dunk. He just needed one summer to master it. Carr set a single-season sophomore scoring record at Baylor last season and his 642 points rank fifth in program history regardless of class. An efficient shooter (37.4% from three in his final college season), Carr also led Baylor with 45 blocked shots.<\/p>\n

Now in the NBA, defense is still where Carr can improve most, Lakers coach JJ Redick said. Although Carr is a talented offensive player, it is still difficult for young players to find their rhythm with limited playing time, Redick said. The Lakers staff has encouraged Carr to take advantage of stay-ready games against coaches and make the most of G League opportunities to get more reps. Carr had 13 points and four rebounds during the Coachella Valley Lakers\u2019 season opener on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust being patient, man,\u201d Carr said of his approach to the beginning of the season, \u201cjust putting my head down, working every day, knowing that I can be the best person I can be. And when my time, my name is called, just be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carr subbed into Monday\u2019s game with 3:35 remaining in the first quarter. The Lakers, trailing by two, soon flipped the game with 13 unanswered points to end the quarter. A steal by Luka Doncic with 1:44 remaining fueled the streak and the star point guard threw an outlet pass to Carr in transition, who collected the ball for an emphatic two-handed dunk.<\/p>\n

Doncic dished out another assist after the game when he rushed to secure the game ball for Carr. The superstar said he wanted the rookie to remember his first NBA bucket.<\/p>\n

Cameron Carr said he\u2019s going to ask everyone to sign the game ball from Monday\u2019s game when he scored his first NBA points and keep it in a case. On Luka Doncic chasing it down for him: \u201cThat\u2019s big time, especially coming from him. That says a lot about who he is as a person.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/eEGrD7VJYy<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Thuc Nhi Nguyen (@thucnhi21) November 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s big time,\u201d Carr said Wednesday of Doncic\u2019s kind gesture. \u201cEspecially coming from him, that says a lot about who he is as a person and how he views this team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Redick handed the game ball to Carr in the locker room after the win as teammates cheered. Carr broke the team huddle on the word \u201ctogether.\u201d He plans to have everyone sign the ball before keeping it in a trophy case.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no price on it,\u201d Carr said. \u201cIt\u2019s forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lakers sign two-way center<\/p>\n

The Lakers swapped out two-way centers Tuesday, waiving Lawson Lovering and signing Carson Cooper, the team announced. Both previously played in the Memphis Grizzlies organization and Cooper made one NBA appearance for the Grizzlies after signing a two-way deal with the team.<\/p>\n

Cooper didn\u2019t become a regular starter in college until his senior season, when he started all 35 games for Michigan State. The four-year Spartan averaged 11.1 points on 58.4% shooting with 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and one block in his final season.<\/p>\n

Lovering, who signed a two-way deal with the Lakers on Oct. 28, appeared in Lakers blowouts against Miami and Sacramento with a rebound and a block.<\/p>\n