Los Angeles Lakers rookie Cameron Carr follows father’s footsteps to NBA

The last sentence of the Los Angeles Lakers’ press release announcing the selection of Cameron Carr last month said he will wear jersey No. 43. Only seven Lakers have worn that number in the 65 years of the franchise’s existence in Los Angeles, with the most recent being Brian Cook in 2007.

Indiana Pacers All-Star forward Pascal Siakam and former NBA stars Brad Daugherty and Jack Sikma are some of the league’s most notable No. 43s.

As for Carr, wearing 43 — whether at Baylor or now with the Lakers — is a tribute to his father, former NBA guard Chris Carr.

“Deep down, I’ve always wanted to be better than him,” Cameron Carr said during his Lakers introduction news conference June 26. “I’ve always been behind. But I want to show that man that he’s put a lot of work into me becoming a better man. And so I feel like the only way I can credit him and show that I’m thankful for him is by putting it to work and using it every single day.”

Said Chris Carr to Andscape: “It’s a blessing that my son gets an opportunity to experience this. Obviously, we’ve been preparing for it for a long time. So, we’re just thankful that he’s getting this opportunity.”

Cameron Carr, a shooting guard, averaged a team-high 18.9 points (shooting 37.4% from 3-point range) to go with 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks per game last season with Baylor. The 21-year-old measured 6-foot-4 1/2 without shoes during the NBA predraft combine, and his wingspan is just more than 7 feet. He also wowed scouts with 30 points, seven rebounds and six 3-pointers during a scrimmage at the combine.

However, those attributes and performances didn’t do much to raise his draft stock.

Carr was projected to be selected between picks No. 15-20 during the 2026 NBA draft. The Lakers traded up one spot with the Knicks to acquire his draft rights with the 24th overall selection. Tonight, a motivated Carr is expected to make his NBA summer league debut against the Golden State Warriors at the California Classic in San Francisco.

While Carr was excited about being selected by the storied Lakers, he is also motivated by nine guards being drafted before him.

“It’s good motivation. And my why is just to be better and show people that I’m better than a lot of the people that are put in front of me,” Carr said. “That’s the chip on my shoulder — the fire on my feet.”

Meanwhile, his father believes the new Laker is being overlooked, and he points to evidence rooted in more than just their shared genetics.

“I believe he is [being overlooked],” Chris Carr said. “I’m obviously biased, but I do believe that he is — just from a standpoint of, name somebody that had 50 threes, 50 dunks, 50 blocked shots [in college last season] with his shooting ability, his length with athleticism, playing bigger, playing smaller, and the versatility and the skill set. I don’t know if there’s anybody in the draft that has a combination of it all.”

One of the highlights on draft night for Cameron Carr was walking to the stage to shake NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s hand. Chris Carr didn’t have the same luxury; he wasn’t invited to the 1995 NBA draft after starring at Southern Illinois. He found out he was selected with the 56th overall pick in the second round by the Phoenix Suns while watching television in Sasser, Illinois.

“I do remember my draft day,” Chris Carr said. “Well, the Mississippi River flooded. I was driving home from school to be with my mom and my best friends and a bunch of media people, and I ended up watching the draft on my girlfriend’s couch with her cat sitting on my lap [in Sasser]. And to make it even worse, I got drafted on a commercial break.”

Chris Carr played for the Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics from 1995-2001. He also played in Greece and Bosnia-Herzegovina before retiring in 2003. Perhaps the highlight of Carr’s pro basketball career was finishing second to former Lakers great Kobe Bryant in the 1997 dunk contest.

Cameron Carr credited his father for allowing him to fall in love with basketball.

“And then once I finally fell in love with it and found my why, I wanted to play basketball,” Cameron Carr said. “Then I felt like I could go to him with more conversation connection or questions, and it made our bond stronger. He was a good outlet for me, because he’s been where I wanted to go, and he’s been down the road I’ve wanted to go.

“And so he’s just been a heck of a person to stand next to, and especially in tough times. And sometimes I don’t know where to go, and I can lean on him and ask him. So, he’s been a lot of help for me.”

On his advice to his son entering the NBA, Chris Carr said: “Approach every day with a businesslike mentality, and take every moment as it’s that moment. Get to the next moment as quickly as you can.”

During his introductory news conference June 26, Cameron Carr expressed excitement about playing with NBA superstar LeBron James. Four days later, James announced he would not be returning to the Lakers after eight seasons.

With James gone, the Lakers are officially six-time NBA All-Star Luka Doncic’s team. Rounding out the Lakers’ star trio is guard Austin Reaves and newly acquired center Walker Kessler.

While there is also competition at guard with the free-agent signings of Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton, Carr plans to get stronger before preseason camp and make a case for playing time with a strong NBA summer league showing.

“The emphasis is on opportunity,” Carr said. “I feel like any time you get on the court is your time to show who you are as a player. And even if that’s for 30 seconds or 30 minutes, just take advantage of it, be dominant, and show what you’re capable of. And yeah, I’ll be able to do that early, just showing defensively, I’m athletic. Everybody’s athletic, but I can use my tools to help.”

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