Once in a lifetime opportunity

By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications

Zahir Carrington is best remembered for his thunderous blocks and dunks in the 2010 Patriot League Championship Game vs. Lafayette.

For as special as winning that title was for Carrington, representing the United States in the FIBA 3X3 World Cup in France this past June was equally memorable.

"This summer was one of the coolest basketball moments of my life," said Carrington. "It really hit me when I got the jersey with my name stitched on the back. It's really special to have your name on a USA Basketball jersey and to know you're representing your country. It's a really special feeling to wear that jersey and hear your national anthem being played before competition.

"It gives you goosebumps."

Carrington ended his college basketball career by beating Lafayette in the league title game, then facing Kansas in the NCAA Tournament. Post-graduation, Carrington has hung onto his love of basketball, all while enjoying a successful career in the business world. The possibility of playing 3-on-3 arose when one of his roommates in New York City, former Princeton basketball player Craig Moore, asked him if he'd like to join his team.

"We played together in a few different leagues in the city, primarily New York Athletic Club," said Carrington. "He got into 3-on-3 through a very prominent Princeton alum, John Rogers. John has his hands in a lot of different things in basketball, and is a big 3-on-3 fan. Craig invited me onto the team for one of the tournaments that we won back in April, which gave us the USA Basketball Team national bid."
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What's unique about the process is that you qualify for the FIBA World Cup, currently the highest level of international competition, as a team.

"You enter as a team, you win as a team and you become Team USA Basketball as a team," said Carrington. "Now, with it being an Olympic sport (as announced in June), it's gaining some attention from NBA players. It's a little bit up in the air now about how the qualifying will go for the Olympics. They're still trying to figure out how to get the best team possible onto the floor representing our country."

The 3-on-3 experience took getting used to. The game features several differences, including the basketball used - which is the size of a regulation women's ball, but the weight of a men's ball.

"3-on-3 is branded as an urban street ball style of game. It's a faster-pace game," said Carrington. "The game is 10 minutes or first to 21 points… whatever comes first. The scoring system is ones and twos versus twos and threes, which puts a much bigger emphasis on the two-point shot (a shot behind the three-point line) because it's 50 percent more points versus just one third more points.

"It's also a much more physical game in the way it's refereed and the style of play than what we're used to in the United States, which I think is why we haven't quite adapted just yet," Carrington continued. "I think we (the U.S.) will continue to catch up to the rest of the world. There's also a 12-second shot clock and the ball is live when it comes out of the net; there's no stoppage unless there's an out-of-bounds or foul."

Despite the differences, Carrington felt as ready as he realistically could for the challenge.

"At Lehigh, we played a very good, really tough schedule," he said. "The Patriot League brand of basketball was very physical. There were always a few European forwards and guards in the league. You get a good amount of international players to play against, which also helped prepare me for this level."

Lehigh helped prepare Carrington for life off the court as well. His current job is in medical device sales for Olympus in New York City.

"The progression of my career and my ability to get to this point stems from another Lehigh men's basketball alumnus, Vin McCaffrey," said Carrington. "He has his own recruiting company called Game Plan. His company recruits and places athletes with companies that put a high value on former college athletes in their business. Right after graduate school, he was able to help me secure this opportunity in the sales world. From there, I grew in the medical space from my role as an associate to now, being at the management level.

Olympus is a very strong and well-respected company in the medical industry.

"My days often including being in the operating room teaching doctors how to use our medical equipment," said Carrington. "It's a really rewarding and gratifying career, and I have to thank my Lehigh Basketball family and my Lehigh education."

Carrington has many people to thank for helping him get to where he is today, but he wouldn't be enjoying success without hard work. He made a conscious effort to take advantage of the opportunities at his disposal as a student-athlete.

"My advice to current student-athletes would be to have fun and try a lot of things when you're on campus," said Carrington. "Do your best to interact with as many people as possible. Just expose yourself to as much as possible because it's really hard to do those things once you get to the real world.

"College is a really unique time when you get to live close with your good friends and teammates. You'll never get that time back again."

Carrington's college years were critical for him creating a blueprint for success. He has turned all-around success at Lehigh into impressive accomplishments post-graduation, both on and off the court.
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"The ability to play Division I basketball at a high level, and at an elite university, really is a competitive advantage out in the business world," he said. "Knowing how to prepare, strategizing what's learned on the court, executing a game plan, being able to manage time, and being able to lead and work with others are all skills you learn. Then, managing the rigors of the Lehigh schedule and academic expectations, I can't stress enough how much it gives you an advantage."

Lehigh remains a special place for Carrington, who keeps up with the current program and is even an alumni ambassador.

"I follow all the games and am constantly checking my phone during the season," said Carrington. "It's really cool now with the Patriot League Network; I can catch a game from anywhere on my phone.

"I feel like I'm always connected with my Lehigh family," he continued. "There's a bunch of Lehigh alumni here in New York City. We play together in a league and often get together for games. Lehigh Basketball is a family. It's not over at graduation."

Carrington's basketball career wasn't over at graduation and 3-on-3 basketball allowed him to represent the Red, White and Blue on the international stage, something he will never forget.

"In order to represent your country and play in the Olympics, you can't just be a good or really good basketball player," he said. "You need to be the best of the best. You need to be the top of the NBA elite to make the men's USA Basketball team. Now, with 3-on-3, it gives a lot of other guys the opportunity to see that dream become a reality.

"I'll never forget the experience."

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Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus #4 Boston University on March 11, 2026 , Win , 74, to, 60

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