Door is closed on Caracter

Louisville's Derrick Caracter, who thought about entering the NBA draft, might not be welcomed back in Kentucky.

Derrick Caracter wants to come back for his junior season. He hasn't hired an agent, still is attending classes at the University of Louisville and sends coach Rick Pitino text messages almost every day.

But Pitino said yesterday that it's in the best interests of both Caracter and the program for the enigmatic 6-foot-9 center to move on.

"My plan is to see him get on to the NBA or get on to Europe and get on with his life," Pitino said. "He has a change of heart right now, but he's had two years to show he wants to be a student, he's had two years to show he wants to be an integral part of college life, and he has not shown that."

Caracter and Pitino agreed early this season that he would leave U of L after his sophomore year. During last month's NCAA Tournament run, Caracter said he was intent on trying his luck in the professional ranks.

His NBA prospects appear murky at best, however, after a season in which he averaged 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds as a reserve. He played only five minutes in the Cardinals' 83-73 loss to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament East Regional final.