Carson family makes basketball a true family affair
BUCHANAN, Mich. (BVM) — The Carson family has basketball in its DNA. They have made basketball a family affair, and they are good at it.
From parents who played basketball, to Division I offers for their children, it is easy to see that the apples do not fall far from the tree.
Kirk and Amanda Carson both played basketball in high school, and they each went on to play collegiately at Lake Michigan College – where they also met.
It is not surprising with this basketball pedigree that their children followed suit. All of the kids started playing in third grade at their school and for the YMCA, excelling at each level they have reached.
Their oldest, Logan, is a 6-foot-9 senior power forward at Buchanan High School in Buchanan, Mich. He began playing travel basketball once he got to seventh grade, and he currently plays for UTS Elite out of Grand Rapids, Mich.
One of the traits that has distinguished Logan from others is his work ethic.
“He goes above and beyond in everything he does,” Amanda said.
In addition to basketball, Logan also enjoys running. In fact, he was on the Buchanan’s cross country team and is currently on the track team as well.
“[He] loves to help everyone…can make anyone laugh, supports everyone,” Amanda and Kirk added. “He wants people to be their best in everything they do.”
All of his hard work has not gone unnoticed, as he is currently ranked No. 18 in the state’s 2021 class by prephoops.com. Logan has had interest and offers to play collegiately from Division I, Division II and Division III schools alike.
Going forward, Logan would like to go on to play basketball at the collegiate level. Beyond that, he strives to become a coach or go into business with his sister — running a training/healthy living lifestyle business.
Next in the Carson line-up is 6-foot-4 daughter, Faith, who is in her sophomore year at Buchanan. Like her brother, Faith began playing travel basketball in seventh grade, and she also plays for UTS Elite.
Similar to her mom and dad, she plays center on the hardwood, and athletically rounds herself out by playing volleyball and throwing shot put. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her friends and cousin.
“She also loves to cook and is good at it at the age of 16,” Amanda and Kirk added.
After high school, Faith’s ambitions include playing basketball collegiately, and then working with her love of cooking in the culinary field. Although younger, Faith’s basketball efforts have not gone unnoticed either, as she is the No.1 rated player in the Class of 2023 in Michigan by prepgirlshoops.com.
She has already received contact and has interest from many Division I schools in several different leagues, including four of the Power 5 conferences
Alyssa Carson is in eighth grade and is also following in her parents and siblings’ footsteps as she has now started training for basketball, though has yet to begin on a travel team. Also like her older brother and sister, Amanda plays volleyball and competes in track.
“Alyssa loves to help others,” Amanda and Kirk said. “She will go out of her way to help or volunteer and is very organized.”
The youngest Carson, Gabriella “Gabby,” just began fourth grade. She currently plays basketball with her school team, and, as her parents describe, “is learning a thing or two from her older siblings.”
“Gabby once told me she would never play sports, but is actually a very athletic kid,” Amanda said about Gabby’s feelings on sports when she was little. “She loves to be outside playing with our dog, Tank, a Cane Corso.”
For each of her kids, Amanda is sure to always share a piece of simple advice before they take the court.
“I always tell them to give 110%, and you can rest later,” Amanda said.
The Carson clan, even with their sports’ accomplishments, are well-grounded and well-rounded. All of the kids show animals at the local county fair (Berrien County Fair), having raised and shown chickens, pigs, cows, and a horse.
“We love to go camping, kayaking, hunting, and be outside,” Amanda added.
The Carson parents describe each of their children in the following ways:
“Logan is a worker, funny, outgoing, talented, passionate about the things he does, and driven,” the parents said. “Faith is caring, outgoing and talented. Alyssa is caring, talented, independent, loving and creative. Gabby is independent, brave, creative and helpful.”
Kirk and Amanda are extremely proud of their children, both on the court and off.
“I am proud of my kids in everything they do,” Amanda explained. “They always give 100% if it is on the basketball court, volleyball, or school. They want to succeed, and all have goals.
“I absolutely love the game of basketball. And to see my kids love it as much or more than I do is special.”
