Omar Carter once dreamed of an NBA career, but everything changed when he experienced cardiac arrest during a basketball game at age 25. What he remembers from July 9, 2013, ends with him arriving at the gym. Everything else was pieced together through eyewitness accounts and a recording of his collapse.
In the footage, Carter is seen dribbling during a Pro-Am game. After passing the ball to a teammate, he backpedals and collapses onto the court. Unlike the sudden falls depicted in media, Carter vaguely recalls trying to catch himself, a detail that still stands out to him.
At first, those around him believed he had simply passed out. But two women—Kelly Thomas, an ICU cardiac nurse, and Claudia Ward, who later became his mother-in-law—recognized the severity. They began CPR immediately, while others retrieved an automated external defibrillator (AED). Carter was shocked three times, and on the third attempt, he gasped for air. His heart had stopped for 13 minutes.
Carter describes taking a deep cinematic breath as he returned to life. Emergency services soon arrived, induced a coma, and transported him to Carolina Medical Center. A few days later, he regained consciousness with full brain function. His first questions were about prayer, the date, and whether he could continue playing basketball—but learning of his cardiac arrest meant facing the end of his playing career.
A Lifelong Passion for Basketball
Basketball had always been integral to Carter’s life. He grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, playing alongside childhood friend and future NBA star Steph Curry. He played collegiate basketball at Charleston Southern and Appalachian State and pursued a professional career in both Brazil and the U.S.
At the time of his cardiac arrest, Carter was training intensely—participating in two-a-days, pick-up games, and Pro-Am leagues. Despite this high-level performance, he had been told years earlier that he had an "athlete’s heart"—a non-clinical term used for heart adaptations that occur with rigorous physical training.
At 16, he experienced left-side chest pain during workouts, which prompted months of medical evaluation. Tests, including EKGs, MRIs, and ultrasounds, ruled out hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), though the signs were close. He was told to monitor his heart but received clearance to continue playing. Less than six months before his cardiac arrest, he had passed another cardiac screening.
Following his collapse, however, Carter received a new diagnosis: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with possible atrial fibrillation (AFib).
A Rising Concern Among Black Male Athletes
Carter’s experience is not isolated. He joins athletes like Damar Hamlin, Bronny James, and Keyontae Johnson—young, Black male athletes who have suffered cardiac arrests while seemingly in peak health.
Studies have shown that young Black athletes face two to three times the risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) compared to white athletes. SCA is the leading cause of sport-related deaths in the U.S., and Black male NCAA Division I basketball players are at the highest risk. Compared to the average high school athlete, they are 21 times more likely to experience life-threatening cardiovascular events.
Many of these incidents are linked to cardiomyopathies like HCM. While HCM is not necessarily more common among Black athletes, the intensity of their training and competition may increase exposure to triggering conditions.
Researchers are exploring the broader social, physical, and economic factors contributing to this disparity. Experts believe limited access to quality healthcare, nutritious food, and increased exposure to psychosocial stressors such as racism may play a role. Data also suggest that Black athletes who experience SCA are more likely to come from areas with greater socioeconomic hardship.
A Second Chance and New Purpose
Physically, Carter recovered more quickly than expected. He received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to regulate his heart and prevent future arrhythmias. Fortunately, he has never needed the device to intervene.
Mentally, however, the recovery was more challenging. After leaving the hospital, Carter battled depression. His lifelong goal of becoming a professional basketball player was no longer possible. He avoided watching basketball for some time, feeling disconnected from his previous life.
Eventually, at the urging of his mother, Carter found new purpose through advocacy. He launched The Omar Carter Foundation in 2014, which gained nonprofit status the following year. Initially focused on teaching CPR, the foundation now also places AEDs in communities and trains others to use them.
Ten years later, the foundation has expanded its mission to improve cardiovascular education and emergency preparedness among athletes and the general public. Carter also offers guidance to others coping with cardiac arrest or other life-altering events.
Living for Health and Helping Others
After his cardiac arrest, Carter initially didn’t make major lifestyle changes. But in 2019, a minor episode of AFib prompted him to commit to heart-healthy habits. He now follows a plant-based diet, stays hydrated, manages stress, and exercises cautiously—monitoring his heart rate to ensure it doesn’t exceed 150 beats per minute.
Though his basketball career ended, Carter believes he has found his true calling. Through education, outreach, and sharing his story, he continues to make an impact. “I may not be on the basketball court,” he said, “but I’ve always had a passion to touch lives and give back.”
