What’s Next – Saratoga Springs’ Carly Wise

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) — Wednesday marked the second installment of “What’s Next?” – a new, weekly NEWS10 Sports segment running this summer that dives into what’s next for some of the Capital Region’s best student-athletes who just graduated, while also looking back on their tenured careers. Week two featured Saratoga Springs’ Carly Wise.

Whether it was on the court, or the lacrosse field, Wise was often the best player in the game. She played four varsity seasons of both basketball and lacrosse for Saratoga Springs, but she knew for a while she wanted to pursue lacrosse in college.

That’s where Clemson University head coach Allison Kwolek comes in.

“I headed up to see her play in high school the spring of her sophomore year,” said Kwolek. “I showed up to the game and it was pouring rain; really, really cold. I’m in my full Clemson rain gear with an umbrella, and it’s like, drenched. And I was just so impressed by her play; unfazed by the weather. Then, I really started to notice how smart she was – really great IQ, really good off [the] ball. It was almost love at first sight when I saw her.”

So, Clemson made Wise an offer, adding to the list of high-level programs interested in her.

But she’d shrink that list down pretty quickly once she took her first visit to South Carolina.

“It was everything I could’ve imagined,” said Wise. “We were on the field for a football game. We were in the football facility. We did dinners. It was just, like, a whole weekend thing. There was a parade. There was everything. And it just checked all the boxes that I had. I was like, “I can’t see myself anywhere else.” I had other official [visits] set up for later in the month, and I was like, “I know I need to be here.” So I committed, like, right after that because I just couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.”

Clemson – a rising program entering its third year of competition – is part of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the top conference in the nation. It’s a fitting destination for Wise after a brilliant high school career that included two sectional titles, and in last month’s state tournament, she reached 300 career goals.

“Carly has a natural athleticism; she’s a very talented athlete,” said Saratoga head varsity coach Jen Furze. “Even in seventh grade, she was dominating the draw. So, I think we all knew what Carly could be capable of. But she’s also intrinsically motivated. She’s always looking to beat her personal best. It was really exciting to watch.”

Wise was also a 1,000-point scorer for the Blue Streaks in basketball, but had a complicated relationship with the sport.

“My freshman and sophomore year…I was fully convinced that I was gonna quit and just focus on lacrosse,” said Wise. “Coach [Robin] Chudy helped me get through it. And I am so, so glad I didn’t quit, because I think I would’ve been so burnt out in lacrosse. That time I give to basketball takes the stick out of my hands, and let’s me reset. I credit a lot of my success in lacrosse to basketball, because it helps with so many things.”

And Wise’s impact at Saratoga went beyond her remarkable athletic feats.

“She was always out here helping me with the youth program,” said Furze. “She would referee for the youth games. Her ability to be a leader and an idol for a lot of them…was pretty inspiring to watch.”

As Wise says goodbye to Saratoga, she anxiously awaits the new opportunity that lies ahead.

“It’s been…a crazy ride; a really great ride. I loved Saratoga lacrosse. And I love Saratoga basketball too. Wearing that jersey was so fun, and I’m happy that I get to…continue wearing the No. 15. I’m definitely gonna miss those girls, and that program. But, I’m ready to…see if I can hang with this…this next level. Getting the opportunity to play in the ACC is just unbelievable. If I told, like, my sixth-grade self that I’d be doing this, I don’t think I’d believe it. So, I’m so excited to see if I can hang with that. And I’m ready to work for it.”

Clemson went 11-7 this past season, and lost in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament to Notre Dame. The Tigers have made national headlines recently, flipping two five-star recruits in the Class of 2025.

If you’d like to nominate a student athlete for “What’s Next?”, email sports@news10.com.

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