Carson chose to play for coach Herb Sendek at Arizona State. However, he was declared academically ineligible for the 2011–12 season.[3] As a redshirt freshman the following season, Carson averaged 18.5 points and 5.0 assists per game. He was named the Pac-12 co-Freshman of the Year with UCLA's Shabazz Muhammad and a first team All-Pac-12 selection.[4] He was again named first team All-Pac-12 the following season.[5]
On April 16, 2014, he declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final two years of college eligibility.[6]
Professional career
At the NBA Pre-Draft Combine in May 2014, Carson recorded the equal-best maximum vertical leap from the 59 draft prospects, and historically his measured leaping ability ranked tied 8th all-time for NBA draft hopefuls.[7]
After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft, Carson joined the Houston Rockets for the 2014 NBA Summer League where he went on to average 8.4 points and 1.6 assists.[8] On August 21, 2014, he signed with the Wollongong Hawks for the 2014–15 NBL season.[7] It was a dismal season for the Hawks as they finished last on the ladder with a 6–22 record. In 27 games, Carson averaged 14.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.[9]
On February 28, 2015, Carson signed with Metalac Valjevo of Serbia for the rest of the season.[10][11] On March 17, 2015, he was released by Metalac after appearing in just one game.[12]
On August 3, 2018, Carson returned to the NBL Canada, signing with the Moncton Magic.[16] Carson left the Magic after six games to join BCM U Pitești in Romania.[17] He also had a brief stint with APOEL.[18]
On June 19, 2021, he has signed with Limburg United of the BNXT League.[19] In nine games, Carson averaged 7.6 points, 3.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game. He parted ways with the team on November 17.[20]
Personal
Carson is the son of Jonathan and Vanae Carson.[1]