Did you know...?: The Young Fellas, Pt. 1

Derrick Caracter (58th overall) and Devin Ebanks, (43rd overall) the Lakers' two sophomore players chosen in the 2010 draft, haven't had a lot to do in their time with the team. While hopes were high last season that they might develop into decent backups (Caracter at center, Ebanks at SF), that hasn't really happened. While both played well in the Summer League games leading up to the 2010-2011 season, neither was able to do the same in pro play, although Ebanks has shown more promise this year, even grabbing the starting spot from Matt Barnes to open the season against the Bulls. Of course last season wasn't necessarily their fault. The Lakers were on a mission to win their third consecutive championship, and it has never been easy for a rookie to crack Phil Jackson's rotation. With so little visibility, there wasn't much of an opportunity to learn anything about them. In fact, there still isn't, but here are a few tidbits.

via extras.mnginteractive.com

Derrick Caracter

• DC was born May 4, 1988 in Fanwood, NJ, where he grew up; he attended St. Patrick High School his freshman and junior years (where he played basketball), transferring to Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School as a sophomore (basketball), then to Notre Dame Prep in his senior year to focus on academics
• He started college at the University of Louisville, declared for then withdrew from the 2008 NBA Draft, and later left UofL; he then enrolled at the University of Texas at El Paso, but was required to sit out the 2008-2009 season; he declared for the 2010 NBA Draft and was selected in the second round by the Lakers, 58th overall
• In March 2011, DC was assigned to the D-League
• In April 2011, during the Lakers' playoff series with the New Orleans Hornets, he was arrested in New Orleans and charged with public drunkenness and assaulting an IHOP waitress (the jokes just write themselves)
• On December 12, during the Lakers' third practice following the end of the lockout, Caracter tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee; the injury required surgery and Caracter has been out ever since; he's only recently returned to action, having been assigned to the D-Fenders while he continues his rehabilitation

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via lakers.topbuzz.com

Devin Ebanks

• Trevor Ariza Devin Ebanks was born on October 28, 1989 in Queens, NY
• As a sophomore at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, Ebanks averaged 18 and 6; in his junior year, at St. Thomas More School in Connecticut, he averaged 23/5/4; as a senior he averaged 23/10/5; he scored over 1,000 points in his two seasons at St. Thomas More.
• Ebanks received played in the Jordan Brand Classic All-Star Game in New York, and was one of 30 players selected for the 2007 USA Basketball Development Festival at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he averaged 28/5
• He was widely regarded as one of the top high school players in the nation by scouting services, ranking 11th overall and 13th overall in the class by Rivals.com and Scout.com, respectively; he originally signed with the Indiana Hoosiers, but was released from his letter of intent after coach Kelvin Sampson was dismissed; he then signed his letter of intent with West Virginia University to play for Bob Huggins.
• He spent two years at WVU then declared for the NBA Draft in 2010; he was selected in the second round, 43rd overall, by the Lakers
• Ebanks was assigned to the D-League in December 2010, then recalled by the Lakers in January 2011 after Matt Barnes suffered a knee injury; however, in February 2011, Ebanks fractured his leg while practicing
• He looks a little like Trevor Ariza

That reminds me, I think I have the wrong picture up there. Here's Devin.

via couchfiresports.com