Upchurch, Carter headed on two-week basketball tour across China

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TARLETON (June 24, 2015) — Two former Tarleton State men’s basketball players, De’Andre Upchurch and Davene Carter, look to continue their playing careers after being invited to play in a two-week tour across China.

Upchurch and Carter will team with 12 other players from across the country and be coached by Cameron’s Nate Gamet while playing in a series of games against China’s top league, the Chinese Basketball Association. The Chinese tour allows the players the chance to play in front of scouts from the CBA and the National Basketball League (Australia) for the opportunity to sign with a professional organization.

“This is a great opportunity for two young men that really accomplished so much while here at Tarleton State,” associate head coach Chris Reisman said. “It’s exciting for them to be rewarded for their hard work and to have a chance to play on a professional platform and receive this type of international exposure. Not only do both continue to extend their playing careers but they also continue to bring visibility to Tarleton State and represent us in a first-class manner.”

Upchurch played for Tarleton from 2012-14 and led the Texans in scoring during his senior year at 17.6 points per game.

The guard from Flint, Michigan helped the Texans to a 48-13 record during his two years and a pair of Lone Star Conference tournament titles; he was also selected to the LSC First-Team All-Conference and named to the Daktronics All-Region Second-Team in 2013-14.

Carter, a LSC All-Defensive Team selection as a junior, recently wrapped up a four-year playing career with the Texans in which he helped lead the Texans to their third trip to the NCAA-II Elite Eight in program history.

The high-flying forward from Duncanville, who finished his career with a 106-23 record, lifted the Texans to a school-record 31 wins in 2014-15. Carter was also the winner of the Dark Horse Dunker to compete in the NCAA Division I Slam Dunk Contest on ESPN where he finished third.

The exact dates for the tour have not been decided but are expected to take place in the coming weeks.

The last player from Tarleton State to take his talents to the Chinese Basketball Association was Greg Manderson, who played for Tarleton from 2000-02 before continuing his career for the Beijing Aoshen Olympians in the CBA.