Caracter names a favorite

The No. 6 ranked player in the class of 2006 Derrick Caracter could not play for St. Patricks High School in Elizabeth, N.J., until the second semester after transferring to the school this year. Nonetheless, St. Patricks has a 15-2 record going into their televised game tomorrow night against Oak Hill Academy. Caracter, a 6-foot-9, 301-pound, skilled power forward is averaging a double-double and told Rivals.com that he has a favorite.

"I like Stanford the most," he said. "They are an elite program, and I could get a better perspective on life there. They make you a better all around person."

An interesting statement coming from a prospect that is a potential prep to the pros candidate. Caracter, although never ruling out a jump to the NBA, has always talked as if he would enjoy spending time in college.

What a frontline Stanford would have in two years if they added Caracter to their recruiting class along with the recent commitments of Brook Lopez and Robin Lopez.

"I'm (also) interested in North Carolina, Miami, Florida State and St. John's," he said.

Caracter also noted that Kentucky, Miami, St. John's, Villanova and Georgetown all have watched him play this year.

Caracter said he is averaging 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks per game.

Caracter can't wait to get on the court Friday.

"We are looking forward to the game Friday," Caracter told Rivals.com. "It is a big game but we are not going to do anything special. We just want to play our game."

Most likely Caracter will play for the New Jersey Panthers on the AAU circuit, but he is unsure on which shoe company camp he will attend. A former attendee at the Reebok ABCD Camp, Caracter said the Nike All-American Camp is making a strong push for him to attend their camp.