Andraya Carter, a player and leader at one of the most revered programs in women’s basketball, demonstrates a commitment to excellence on and off the court as well as a desire to forge genuine connections.
Even at age 7, Andraya Carter knew she wanted to be a Tennessee Lady Volunteer. She grew up admiring University
of Tennessee head coach emeritus Pat Summitt and knowing that was where she belonged.
She read Summitt’s books and kept a copy of Summitt’s Reach for the Summit: The Definite Dozen System for Succeeding at Whatever You Do readily available in her bedroom.
Although early-onset Alzheimer’s disease caused Summitt to retire before Carter’s freshman year, her impact on the
program, the game of basketball and women’s sports still fuels Carter’s pursuit of excellence.
“She created so many opportunities for women,” says Carter, 22. “She’s definitely a legend. It’s how humble she was when she could have been the most arrogant woman in the world because she was so amazing. On the court, off the court, I thank her.”
Carter carries a humble demeanor and refuses to boast about her own extraordinary accomplishments,
which include sustaining a 4.0 average throughout her undergraduate studies and graduating in three years. She has
been recognized on the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times and participated in VOLeaders Academy.
She is nonchalant in describing the effort that went into the early graduation with a major in communications studies. Advanced Placement classes in high school brought her some college credits and she took summer school courses when she was on campus training or rehabbing injuries.
“I packed as many hours as I could into my schedule during my undergraduate studies,” Carter says. “It wasn’t with the intention of graduating in three years. It was just ‘I can handle this. Give me more.’
