DeMarre Carroll's NBA career almost ended before it began. The Utah Jazz alum nearly faced a career-threatening injury while trying to protect a teammate.
While taking on Thanasis Antetokounmpo's podcast, "Thanalysis Show," Carroll detailed how he literally took a bullet for a teammate. He first started by explaining how the situation manifested itself.
"One night, we had a party. My teammates and a couple other guys got into it. I tried to jump in the way and get one of my teammates and say, 'Come on, let's go. Everybody let's go. We need to get up out of here.'
"Somebody (Carroll's teammate) was into it with pulled out a gun. He attempted to try to shoot his leg... He was trying to shoot his leg to end his basketball career."
Carroll then detailed how he wound up with the bullet in his leg.
"So me grabbing him and trying to get him pushed back, I end up getting shot... I took one step. I fell straight to the ground. They rushed me to the hospital. I'm just in my head, like, my career is over with."
Carroll then revealed how close the bullet was to doing some serious damage.
"The bullet missed my Achilles by a hair. (The doctor) was like, 'You're the luckiest person on this planet at this moment."
Did you know DeMarre Carroll once took a bullet for a teammate?
— Thanalysis Show (@ThanalysisShow) September 12, 2024
He told @Thanasis_ante43 that he thought his basketball career was over. pic.twitter.com/6qJ0S30F6H
This happened before Carroll entered the NBA
Carroll did not specify when this incident happened. However, ESPN confirmed via The Associated Press that it happened on July 5, 2007, when Carroll transferred to play for the University of Missouri.
He then went on to start his NBA career in 2009, though he was a late-bloomer. Carroll was a journeyman, but he didn't truly find his footing until he joined the Hawks in 2014. His breakout seasons with the Hawks led to a four-year, $60 million contract with the Raptors in 2015.
Just before his breakout in Atlanta, Carroll played in Utah from 2011 to 2013. His role gradually grew with time, and he got to play with some Jazz alumni, including Mo Williams and Gordon Hayward. He carved out a niche in Utah that he was nicknamed "Junkyard Dog" for his grit.
Carroll's story is impressive because he shows that even if you don't hit the ground running in your line of work, giving yourself enough time could be just what you need to blossom. Surviving a shooting only further demonstrates how much he had to persevere before he became the player he was.