Carter began his professional career in 2002 with the Victoria Giants in the NBL, where he spent two seasons. After not playing in 2004–05, he returned to the NBL for the 2005–06 season and played three seasons with the West Sydney Razorbacks. For the 2008–09 season, he played for the championship-winning South Dragons.[3]
For the 2009–10 season, Carter played overseas for the first time with Swedish team Gothia Basket. After returning to Australia for the 2010–11 season to play for the Adelaide 36ers,[4] Carter returned to Sweden for the 2011–12 season to play for Uppsala Basket. He then played half of the 2012–13 season with Uppsala, before returning to Australia in January 2013 to play out the season with the Perth Wildcats.[5] In February 2013, he played his 200th NBL game.[6][7] He then split the 2013–14 season with Sweden's Eco Örebro and the Adelaide 36ers.[8][9]
For the 2014–15 season, Carter played for the championship-winning New Zealand Breakers.[10] His final season in the NBL came in 2015–16 with the Sydney Kings.[11]
For the 2016–17 season, Carter played in England for the first time with the Plymouth Raiders of the British Basketball League. His final professional season then came in 2017–18 with Uppsala Basket in Sweden.
Australian state leagues (2003–2019)
Between 2003 and 2019, Carter played 10 seasons across various Australian state leagues. His first stint came in 2003 with the Geelong Supercats in the SEABL. He then played for the Latrobe City Energy (Big V, 2004);[12]Frankston Blues (SEABL, 2005);[13] Mildura Mavericks (SEABL, 2006); Latrobe City Energy (Big V, 2008–09); North Adelaide Rockets (Premier League, 2011);[14]Knox Raiders (SEABL, 2013–14); Melbourne Tigers (SEABL, 2016); Frankston Blues (SEABL, 2018); and Sandringham Sabres (NBL1, 2019).
In July 2019, Carter announced his retirement from basketball.[15]
Carter was hoping for a back-up point guard spot with Melbourne United for the 2018–19 season, but when that didn't eventuate the team offered him a role as both team manager and shadow coach. For the 2019–20 season, he was promoted to head coach of the club's academy program and as a development coach for the NBL side.[15] He was promoted to assistant coach for the 2020–21 season.[18] He continued on with United as an assistant coach in the 2021–22 season.[19] He joined the Sandringham Sabres men's team as an assistant coach for the 2022 NBL1 South season.[19] He continued with United in 2022–23 and then returned to Sandringham as an assistant in 2023.[20][21] He continued with United in 2023–24.[22]
^"Copeland makes the numbers add up". The Age. 14 September 2002. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. In the East Conference, the Australian Institute of Sport beat Geelong Supercats 111-100. Another Giant, Rhys Carter, had 27 points, six rebounds and six assists for the AIS to be chosen finals MVP.
^"Darryl McDonald Joins United as Assistant Coach". NBL.com.au. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020. McDonald will join Justin Schueller and Rhys Carter, rounding out Dean Vickerman's coaching staff roster for the 2021 Hungry Jack's NBL Season.
^Woods, Dan (1 June 2023). "The Melbourne Youngster Turning Heads". NBL.com.au. Retrieved 1 June 2023. Uncontracted forward David Barlow and assistant coach Rhys Carter are both involved with the Sabres at NBL1 level...