After being put in the starting lineup for the first time against the No. 1 team in the Mountain West Conference, the University of New Mexico, Pearson Carmichael has made a name for himself.
From kicking off the basketball season as a redshirt freshman to knocking down 21 points in his first game as a starter, Carmichael continues to defy all odds.
Carmichael made his collegiate debut on Jan. 7, 2025, against the University of Las Vegas, Nevada (UNLV), playing 18 minutes and scoring eight points.
“It’s a crazy feeling that I can’t describe,” Carmichael said. “Redshirting is what the coaches wanted me to do, and whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll do it. But being able to now start and help this team win is huge. It’s a big dream of mine, for sure.”
Carmichael, better known by his teammates as “Peanut”, could be just what the Broncos needed to help pave the way to March Madness.
His mom nicknamed him “Peanut” because he was born with a small head, shaped like a peanut, and the name has stuck ever since.
The Bend, Oregon native was introduced to the sport while he was in the second grade and was raised by two parents who played collegiate basketball.
Carmichael’s dad, Eric, coached him for the first seven years he played, up until he joined his high school team.
“My whole life he’s [Eric] taught me everything, on and off the court,” Carmichael said. “I’m super grateful to have him in my life and I’d say he’s my biggest role model.”
“Peanut” was a star point guard at Summit High School alongside his older brother, Hogan, who played starting center.
Hogan went on to play football at Carroll College in Montana while Pearson continued to lead his high school basketball team in scoring.
Carmichael was named the Oregon High School Basketball Player of the Year for the 2023-2024 season on MaxPreps after leading his team to the Class 5A state championship, the school’s first title.
The 6 foot 7 inch shooting guard committed to Boise State in November of his senior year.
“My travel coach and I made it our goal to come to Boise State, because I love the coaching staff and the culture here,” Carmichael said. “He passed away a year before Boise State offered me to come here so it just felt right … because that was our goal. When I took my visit here, I just fell in love with it.”
Although Carmichael has been number 11 his whole life, he chose to play for the Broncos with
six to start his own legacy because the number has never been worn before at Boise State.
Since the Broncos Head Coach Leon Rice pulled his redshirt, Carmichael has played in 14 games and has started in the past four.
“We’ve had a lot of belief in him, and that’s why we pulled the redshirt,” said Rice in a postgame press conference. “I saw him get better and tougher with the ball. There was a progression … he’s one of those guys that scores easily and that’s what we’ve been missing.”
After starting for the first time on Feb. 19, Carmichael became the first freshman to score over 20 points in a game since Tyson Degenhart in the 2021-2022 season.
Following that game, Carmichael earned Mountain West Men’s Basketball Freshman of the Week.
In a postgame press conference, Carmichael’s teammates described him as a player with “swag” and “aura” because they rarely see him nervous.
“I definitely have nerves but I don’t really show them as much,” Carmichael said. “Once I step on the court that kind of goes away and I unlock that swagger that I’ve always played with.”
After proving himself on and off the court, Carmichael stands as the missing piece the Broncos needed to turn this season around.
Next up, the Broncos will play in their last home game at 8 p.m. on March 7 against Colorado State University.
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Meadow is now and the future
We have absolutely loved watching Pearson “Peanut” Carmichael play. There is a certain corner that almost always guarantees he will sink a three! We are so blessed that he came to Boise State! 💙🧡🏀🐴