When Jordan Carpenter started her collegiate basketball career at the University of Mary Washington in 2020, she focused on the next point, the next game, the next step. And her parents were there each step of the way, coming from their home in Richmond, Virginia, to attend each game and cheer her on.
Now a senior approaching graduation in May, she heard their familiar voices in the stands of the Anderson Center arena counting down the points needed to 1,000 in a memorable game on January 27, 2024.
“You need eight points!” her dad yelled, throwing his fingers in the air. The countdown intensified, and Carpenter’s dad signaled the remaining points with a three-finger gesture. With only seconds left on the clock and the opposing team in possession, Carpenter’s coach rallied the team to secure the ball. The tension reached its peak as Carpenter drove down the court, making an unforgettable buzzer-beating shot that not only won the game but also catapulted her into the 1,000-point club.
Reflecting on the game, Carpenter shared, “There was like five seconds left, four, three, two, one, and I lay it up. The buzzer goes off right at the right time.” The moment was nothing short of miraculous, leaving her team in awe as they swarmed her in celebration.
Carpenter, a cybersecurity major, found UMW like many other students, by a personal connection and someone who noticed her talent. While playing in a tournament in her hometown of Richmond, an opposing team’s coach saw her in action. That coach was a UMW alumna, who then referred her to the current UMW women’s basketball coach for the Division III team. A visit to campus was all she needed to know UMW could be her next home court.
Carpenter shared, “I came and took a visit, and it was my last visit. I had been to maybe 20 other schools beforehand, but as soon as I came on campus, I knew this is where I wanted to go.” She settled on cybersecurity as a major after a high school IT program, expressing her love for the field and her readiness to pursue it in either the government or private sector post-graduation.
Despite facing challenges as a student-athlete during the pandemic, Carpenter’s resilience and commitment propelled her forward. She spoke about the unexciting start to college life, with virtual classes and limited sports activities. However, Carpenter’s determination and drive kept her focused on the future. She also continued to add up the points and the victories.
Carpenter’s memories and achievements are centered on the basketball court, with her favorite memory being the NCAA Conference against Christopher Newport University. Her success, she says, wouldn’t be possible without her biggest supporters — her parents. Having attended all but one of her games, they’ve traveled far and wide to cheer on their daughter, leaving an indelible mark on Carpenter’s inspiring story.
She was named the conference Player of the Year as well as the Defensive Player of the Year for the 2023-24 Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball all-conference teams. She ranks nationally in doubles with 15 double doubles in 23 games, and leads the Eagles with 15.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. A 2023 All-American, Carpenter became the 21st player in school history to surpass 1,000 career points this year. Her career high of 31 points was achieved this season against Gallaudet, when she notched her 1,000th point at the buzzer. She was named the league’s player of the week three times this season. At the same time, she achieved the President’s List for a 4.0 GPA in the fall 2023 semester. Recently honored as a WBCA All-Star, Carpenter was chosen to join the elite cadre of the nation’s top 20 women’s basketball athletes in a pre-National Championship game this past Saturday, March 16, 2024. Additionally, Carpenter has secured the prestigious title of First Team All-Region for the year and garnered an honorable mention as a WBCA All-American.
