Should Utepia claim Caracter

Should Utepia claim Derrick Caracter as a Miner, or not?

Odds are good that he's in the weight room, or out running, as you read this. In a surprise to many, the former Utepia Miner was actually drafted by an NBA team, the world champion Los Angeles Lakers. That's despite a history of being a head case and a 325-pound balloon on feet. In his one season here he seemed fine.

Now he's been given the chance he's lived for since being a child prodigy. Recall he was in and out of different high schools and played one season in El Paso after getting the boot at Louisville.

Nice person, though, most people said. Just a tad whacked is all.

Psst, Derrick. Don't decide to be a holdout for more money, for goodness sake.

Pro sports teams usually know what they're doing. Caracter was the 58th of 60 players chosen in the annual two-round draft. It's never a cinch for a second-rounder to make the final roster. For Caracter to have a better than 50-50 shot at that, the Lakers are going to have lose some players, for whatever reasons — trade, injury, retirement. World champs don't have scrubs sitting around.

Question to posters: Will you point out that Caracter is our guy, a MINER? Or, is he just a mercenary who played only his junior year here, then left as soon as UTEP lost in the NCAA Tournament?

Comments

[usbp01@yahoo.com]

Caracter may have played for UTEP however he helped UTEP win a conference championship. What more do yu expect from this kid.

UTEP should be proud that he was drafted and represented El Paso. If UTEP wants to claim he or not, I really dont think he cares.

Once he starts making millions UTEP will be bragging that he played for El Paso. Get it together UTEP he does not need you.

[just a thought]

It depends on whom you ask Joe. Everyone knows (may not admit it) we wouldn't have won C-USA without him last year.

Administrators and coaches claim him. I mean I bet he gets a spread in our media guide next year or a picture up in the new basketball facility.

Some fans feel he left UTEP hanging therefore wish him the worst. I say stop with the double standard. I seriously doubt these same guys have hard feelings towards UTEP tracksters, tennis players, and golfers that leave early for professional careers.

If he gets some tick in a Finals game next year those same fans will change their tune wholeheartedly.

[rick pitino]

Yes, UTEP should claim him. Miner fans are great and it was a fantastic season. Privately, Derrick has thanked Coach Barbee and his teammates. The results of this historic season speak for itself. UTEP basketball is a national force again. Congrats El Paso and Thanks for the memories Derrick and good luck in the future. We are pulling for you!

[JRMaynard3]

Does it matter? No.

[Rob]

The question is..will he "claim" UTEP and El Paso?

[Rock Chalk and Go Miners!]

Did Kansas claim Xavier Henry? Did Kentucky claim John Wall? Cinci with Lance? They were one and done.

Yes, we will claim him! So next time a recruit shows interest in UTEP, they will know that the last person drafted from UTEP was in 2010. Kids want to hear things like that.

So Joe, seriously? I mean, was that question even necessary? Regardless what happens to Caracter recruits will know that UTEP has the potential to produce! Anything after that is up to Caracter.

[D Naudin]

I don't think you have all your marbles, just ask yourself what was the last school the kid went to ? This young man should not be judged as you have and really his future earnings should not be your concern....when will you quit bashing and just congratulate somebody on a significant achievement.....

[KiddMiner]

Claim him...hell yeah......all this basket case talk, please.

After the basketball classic game in which we beat the sooners I was sitting in the Bricktown Hooters w/some other Miner Fans and Derrick walked in with some other players and the first thing he did was walk over shake our hands and say "Thanks for the support during the game", it was great as well as greeting the other guys.

GO MINERS!!!

[Dennis DeLoach]

Joe,
If you don't have anything good to say...
You're not an athlete and you don't know Derrick.
The young man got drafted by the Lakers and is living his dream.
Looking forward is all that matters Joe!

[Toasted Whitebred]

No one has ever said he was a basket case. The biggest claim against derrick was that he likes to eat a lot.

If overeating was a sin, how many of us would go to heaven? Wait...never mind. Anyway, the fans in Louisville loved DC. He was in El Paso a whole year before he suited up and was at every game clapping and supporting his teammates. He always has positive things to say about the community and fans.

I personally feel lucky to have seen him play in a Miner uniform. He's our guy and nobody can take that away.

[Brazen Bill]

Drafted is a good thing. Glad for the kid.

[CLEOFITZWITZ]

He is a former Miner. Period. We can't be so flaky as to be judging who is a Miner and who isn't. We cheered for him in the Don and he was gratious and saluted us for it. The last thing we need is a rep for turning our backs on the players who come through here. After all, they are all just coming through.

[Stahala]

Joe is obviously trying to get a debate going, because that is a pretty stupid question. Of course we claim DC. We need to show future recruits, both true freshman and transfers, you can put on a Miner uniform and have a chance to play in the NBA. Someone that decided to play for the UTEP basketball team got drafted by the Los Angles Lakers. That's a pretty nice thing to say. Like Rob said, the real question is whether DC will claim UTEP.

[Dave]

UTEP recruited Mr. Caracter in good faith and took a chance on him. He reciprocated by working hard and helping the Miners post their first NCAA tournament bid in years. He never embarrassed the team and gave us nothing but good publicity on the national level.
UTEP will claim him and he will endorse himself as a former Miner.

[Lorenzo]

Does anyone doubt the heart and will DC showed in the road game at UAB when he basically carried the Miners to victory? Or how about all that weight he lost from the moment he arrived at El Paso just to get on the floor? Regardless of what DC did in his time prior to UTEP, as a Miner, I never saw him give any less than his best. From what I hear, he never caused any problems with his teammates, coaches or even the refs. I for one am proud to say Derrick Caracter was a Miner, even if it was for only a year.

[DFW Miner]

Being in Dallas, I only had the privilege of watching the '09 version of the Miners live when they played SMU. Derrick Character looked like a man amongst boys. He looks much more physically imposing live than on TV. Congratulations Derrick and Go Miners!!

[madmangunner]

I say we claim Caracter, but not claim Joe.

[NineteenRabbit]

Utepia? How silly can you get?

Don't answer that.

[patrick stone]

too bad Caracter was drafted by this bogus champions having to play with Kobe Rothlisberger and Thug Ron Artest. At least with him being with the Lakers he has David Stern,The Officials,and ESPN who are all pro Laker.

[John C]

Get something new----this blog has gotten stale!!

[Jennifer]

You get paid for this sh!t? What a f-ing waste!

[Stahala]

Listen guys, there's really nothing to talk about until football season starts. So let's talk about Title IX and how it discriminates against men. Don't you think that UTEP should work towards having a baseball team, and Men's soccer team? I know I would go out to those games. What do you all think?

[Andrew]

What a stupid question. Really?

[dining room tables]

What is stupid about that question? The question is good. It was a well organized question. It is very interesting.

[Steve Shelton]

Derrick Caracter whacked and a balloon? Who are you calling a balloon fatboy? I suggest you check out NBA.com and check out Caracter's ranking at number 3. You need to get a real job and stop picking on kids.