Ex-Miner, Lakers Draft Pick Derrick Caracter Talks To Los Angeles Media

Former UTEP Miner Derrick Caracter got his first taste of what it might be like to play in Los Angeles when he recently faced the LA media.

“I think I have a pretty good chance,” Caracter said of possibly making the Lakers squad. “I slipped to 58 but I believe everything happens for a reason and I don’t think I could have (fallen) into a better situation.”

Caracter said he achieved all of the goals at UTEP he had set for himself, including making it to the NCAA tournament.

He also talked about his weight, which had fluctuated during his college career at Louisville and UTEP.

“I think my conditioning is great,” Caracter said. “I’m at 277. I told (Lakers personnel) I want to play at 270. At UTEP I was 300, 305.”

Caracter said he has dropped the weight by getting more rest and by changing his eating habits.

“I don?t eat chicken or red meat (anymore),” he said. “I feel a lot better, feel more energetic, body feels healthier.”

Caracter, one of the Lakers’ two second round draft picks this year, will be playing on the Lakers’ summer league in Las Vegas starting on Friday.

Watch the full press conference here.