Louisville coach Rick Pitino is done with Derrick Caracter. Now he’s somebody else’s problem.
Caracter has been talking about becoming — and projected to be — a potential NBA player since his days at Scotch Plains-Fanwood and St. Patrick of Elizabeth. Problem always was the kid’s work ethic. Or lack thereof.
Now Caracter, who averaged 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds last season, has declared himself for the NBA Draft, and Pitino said he’ll find out just where he stands come June.
“I think he’s been looking in the mirror and conning himself for a long, long time,” Pitino said. “Now he’s got to go and find out what the real world is like.”
Caracter is enrolled at Louisville and has yet to hire an agent, leaving open the possibility of his return in the fall. But Pitino doesn’t appear to want him back.
“That’s not in the cards for him right now,” Pitino said. “It’s not in his best interest as well as our best interest. Our best interest and his best interest right now is to try to become a second-round draft pick. Too much has happened for him to turn around now.”
