DENVER — Coach Buzz Williams of Texas A&M recently discussed his response to online aggression towards his team, following an incident involving reserve guard Jace Carter. After the Aggies secured an 80-71 victory against Yale in the NCAA Tournament’s opening round, Carter disclosed to a local television station that he had experienced death threats and racial epithets on social media.
Carter commented on the situation, sharing, “I’ve been receiving death threats and racial slurs because of missed free throws and shots. While it can be damaging, especially for someone young without strong mental fortitude, I try to handle it in a mature way.” Despite the negativity, Carter appreciated his contribution to the team’s success, scoring 10 points in only 9 minutes on the court against Yale. He reflected, “It’s tough when it emanates from your own supporter base, but ultimately, I am secure in who I am both as a person and as a player.”
A senior guard, Carter transferred to Texas A&M after playing two years at Illinois-Chicago. This season, he has maintained an average of 3.9 points across 17 minutes per game. During a press meeting on Friday, Williams was asked about Carter’s perseverance in the face of such adversity. Although unaware that Carter had spoken publicly about the harassment, Williams acknowledged addressing the issue with Carter, his family, and his teammates.
The coach elaborated, stating that the subject of external criticism has become more common in his professional experience. “I’ve dedicated more time than ever to helping our players deal with outside opinions,” he mentioned. Williams emphasized the importance of balancing internal support with appropriate public reactions, ensuring “the actions behind closed doors have a meaningful impact on their lives.” He confirmed that discussions about social media negativity have taken place with multiple players on the team.
Williams, who has distanced himself from social media, described its potential for harm, particularly for younger individuals. “It’s dangerous,” he noted, expressing the difficulty in convincing 22-year-olds, who have grown up with digital screens, not to engage with it. Instead, he focuses on educating them about managing such challenges. He acknowledged the fact that players feel most affected when negative comments originate from fans they believed supported them.
Looking ahead, the Texas A&M Aggies, holding a fourth-seed with a 23-10 record, are poised to face fifth-seeded Michigan (26-9) in Saturday’s South Region second round.