Caracter Declared Academically Ineligible

The Derrick Caracter saga at Louisville is finally over. The sophomore big man has been declared academically ineligible by the university, which would seem to be the final straw for Caracter and his career with the Cardinals. "He just has too many issues to overcome, academically and otherwise, to be a Louisville Cardinal," Pitino told the Louisville Courier-Journal. "The best thing for him would be to go to a different place." Caracter declared for the NBA Draft two months ago, but has since decided that he wants to stay in college. He has not signed an agent and turned down an invitation to the pre-draft camp in Orlando. Furthermore, he has been working out in Louisville since the season ended. "He loves Louisville," Winnie Terry, Caracter's mother, said. "That's where he wants to be. He doesn't feel like he's ready [for the NBA]. He definitely wants to return." Pitino was surprised Caracter declined the invite to the pre-draft camp and seemingly just wants Caracter to move on. "I was hoping he would try the pros," he said. "That's all he talked about all year. I told him to go to Orlando. I don't know why he wouldn't go there. It's crazy." Caracter averaged 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season.