The Kid Has Guts, and a Coach Who Truly Believes in Him

Pulse Sports Team 22:05 - 01 October 2026

Zvezda supporters are often quick to criticize individuals and show little patience. Why that is, there are a million theories. Tyson Carter is a prime example, but in Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet's 77-72 victory over Anadolu Efes, he proved to be one of the key figures on the floor.

You could follow the match between Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet and Anadolu Efes live on Sportal

Tyson Carter was somewhat unfairly the most scrutinized player during the preseason. It bears repeating several times that this is a player who overcame a pulmonary embolism and should celebrate every single day he is still able to play professional basketball. Somehow, that crucial context seemed to slip from the supporters' minds, and the American seemingly ran out of credit before the season even truly got underway.

While he may have looked slightly off the pace in preseason, he undoubtedly deserved some understanding and a grace period. And then came the moment it all paid off. Carter was solid against Hapoel, and even better against Efes. After dropping 12 points against the Israeli side, his time to shine finally arrived. On a roster featuring Jordan Nwora, Jared Butler, and other proven match-winners, it was Carter who stole the spotlight. A personal seven-point run generated through clear-out isolation sets proved two distinct things: that he has immense self-belief, and that Ibon Navarro has complete faith in him.

That second point should come as no surprise. If anyone understands Navarro inside out, it is Carter. During their time working together in Malaga, the American was the designated closer. The ball went to him in crunch time, and that trust was well earned—as plenty of highlights from their time in Spain will show. Carter is a player who demands trust and appreciation from the fans because he is utterly fearless, never hesitating to pull the trigger with the game on the line. And if he misses, so be it.

Navarro had also found himself under fire, but his decision to let Carter attack out of the point guard spot proved to be the masterstroke that decided the contest. He kept Butler on the bench, who had no issue cheering on from the sidelines. This team faced excessive criticism after just two games. Time and patience are essential—luxuries rarely afforded to Zvezda players. The pressure is immense, expectations even higher, but after this victory, the locker room can breathe a collective sigh of relief and play with much more freedom.