A 2004 Valdez High graduate, Carl Arts’ basketball prowess stretched the distance from Prince William Sound to Anchorage, where he also became a University of Alaska Anchorage legend.
Arts helped lead the Buccaneers to 3A March Madness Alaska state championships as both a sophomore and a senior. Valdez won the 2004 title with a 28-0 mark that saw Arts average 17.1 points per game. He was named the 3A boys player of the year as well. The Buccaneers sported a 56-1 record in Arts’ final two seasons.
“I was always amazed at the passion, humility, resiliency and poise under stress Carl brought to each practice and game,” said Valdez coach Todd Wegner. Former UAA coach Shane Rinner said Arts was among the very best players he’s coached.
“You can count on him to do the right thing every time,” Rinner said.
Arts was named to the UAA Hall of Fame in 2018 and the basketball program retired
his No. 34. He ranks in the Seawolves’ all-time top three in scoring and rebounding.
Today, he is a UAA professor and coach who has greatly contributed to Alaska’s
youth. Arts and wife Sarah are the adopted parents of two children.
