Kentucky men?s All-State center Jared Carter signed his national letter of intent to play basketball at Kentucky Wednesday, Coach Tubby Smith announced.

At 7-2, the Georgetown, Ky., native and Scott County High School senior becomes the third seven-footer on next year?s roster, joining Shagari Alleyne (7-3) and Lukasz Obrzut (7-1).

?We?re very happy that Jared will be joining our program,? Smith said. ?He?s a talented player who will fit well into our system. It?s always exciting when we can bring in a young man from Kentucky who understands how important Wildcat basketball is to this state. Jared was fortunate to play under an outstanding coach in high school in Billy Hicks. Hopefully we can continue in helping Jared develop as a basketball player and a person.?

Carter was a first-team All-State selection in 2005 after guiding Scott County to a 27-4 record and the 32nd District title. He averaged 16.3 ppg and 9.8 rpg during his senior season. He also averaged 6.4 blocks per contest and totaled a state-record 200 blocks this season.

Carter was recently selected to play in the 2005 adidas-Kentucky Derby Festival All-Star game, which takes place on April 16 in Louisville?s Freedom Hall. The game showcases 25 of the top basketball prospects in the country each spring.

As a junior, Carter helped the Cardinals to the Kentucky Sweet 16 semifinals, where they lost in overtime to defending state champion Mason County. That season Scott County posted a 28-7 overall record and claimed the 8th Region title.

Carter chose Kentucky over North Carolina, Illinois and Georgia Tech. Carter will joins Adam Williams as a freshman in the fall of 2005. Williams signed in the fall of 2003 and attended prep school at IMG Academy in Florida this past season.