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Caracter Likes Five

Derrick Caracter, the No. 6 ranked player in the class of 2006, has had some impressive performances this summer against the likes of the No. 1 ranked player Greg Oden. The 6-foot-9, 301-pound power forward from St. Patrick’s High School in Elizabeth, N.J., has also played less than stellar ball at times this summer. At the moment he is listing five schools.
“I’m interested in Kentucky, Stanford, Georgia Tech, Connecticut, and South Florida,” said Caracter. “I don’t really know who has offered. I just know they all want me to come play for them.
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“I don’t have a favorite. It’s still early. I’m just concentrating on getting better.”
Caracter is a very skilled big man who can pass it, drive it, and shoot it with three point range. With the ball he is very smooth, but on defense his foot speed and shot contesting need improving. And defense is exactly what he is concentrating on.
“I need to work a lot on my defense,” he said. “I also need to get better on pulling up off my left hand drive.”
If Caracter can keep his weight down and maintain his conditioning, he will be a premier player when the class of 2006 comes out. With his size and skill, a jump straight to the League is a distinct possibility, but Caracter has set the bar fairly high for that to happen.
“I need to be at least a top three pick in the draft,” he said. “Otherwise, more than likely I will go to college.”
If he does indeed chose a school, Caracter will be looking at these factors.
“I want to go to school with a good basketball program and where I like the surroundings,” he said. “Also, I must be able to receive a good education.”
Caracter, who averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds per game as a high school sophomore, will play in the Beach Ball Classic during the holidays along with top 2007 teammate Cory Fisher.
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