Lakers Sign Devin Ebanks

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Devin Ebanks, it was announced yesterday. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Selected by the Lakers with the 43rd pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Ebanks, a 20 year-old early entry candidate out of West Virginia University, played two seasons for the Mountaineers, averaging 11.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 69 games. 

Ebanks was named to the Big East All-Rookie and All-Tournament team as a freshman and selected All-Big East Third Team as a sophomore, the 6’9” forward posted 16 career double-doubles at West Virginia and led the team in rebounding during each of his two seasons.

Additionally, Ebanks started all five games for the Lakers 2010 Summer League entry in Las Vegas, averaging 15.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 33.3 minutes.

Lakers Sign Derrick Caracter

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Derrick Caracter, it was announced today. Per team policy terms of the agreement were not released. Caracter, a 22 year-old early entry candidate selected by the Lakers with the 58th pick in the 2010 NBA draft, played two seasons at Louisville before transferring to the University of Texas at El Paso, where he averaged 14.1 points and 8.1 rebounds in 27 games as a junior with the Miners. Named Second Team All-Conference USA last season, the 6’9” forward ranked second in the conference and 16th nationally in field goal percentage (.567).

Ebanks and Caracter Look Like Good Fits for Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t pick in the first round of the NBA Draft but General Manager Mitch Kupchak had two second-round selections to work with.  At 43, the Lakers chose small forward Devin Ebanks and at 58 they added power forward Derrick Caracter.

Ebanks, at 6’9″, 215 pounds, is a rangy, perimeter defender who can slash and cut.  Historically he’s a poor three-point shooter but in the early games of the Las Vegas Summer League, Devin has shown an improved stroke.  With an uncanny resemblance to former Laker Trevor Ariza, Ebanks may get the opportunity to play a similar role off the bench for the Lakers.  “Everybody says that [about Ariza] but I’m just trying to play like Devin Ebanks.  Everybody says I look like him and we but I’m just trying to focus on me,” said the Ebanks.

Caracter is a little undersized at 6’9″ but listed at 265 he’s got a lot of body despite losing a considerable amount of weight.  Derrick has been an NBA prospect since high school before struggling to live up the hype at the college level.  He’s looking forward to putting those days behind him.  “With a last name like mine, they’ll never forget about the character issues.  Some say it’s good; some say it’s bad,” said Derek.  “What’s most important is that my family and friends know who I am.  I just go out here and prove to these people that I’m here and I’m here to stay.  I just take one day at a time.”

Both Ebanks and Caracter have to make the squad.  As second-rounders, their contracts won’t necessarily be guaranteed initially by the Lakers.  “For second-round picks they played well.  That’s what summer league is for to see what they can do,” said Kupchak.  “A lot of times if they play well at summer league what that really means is that they’re worthy of an invitation to veteran’s camp.  So that’s what they’re trying to do right now, get invited to veteran’s camp and so far so good.”  After two hot shooting nights to start the summer, Ebanks has cooled some.  Through four games, he’s averaged 16.0 points on 41.4% shooting with 1.5 steals a game.
Caracter notched three straight double-doubles before breaking the streak on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings.  Through four, Derrick has put up 16.8 points a night on 60.4% shooting with 9.3 boards and 1.5 blocks a game.  Right now Derrick is just focused on making it to and through training camp to the regular season with the Lakers.  “It starts off with finishing off strong the rest of my summer, getting invited to veteran’s camp,” said Caracter.  “Take one day at a time through the season and help in whatever way possible, whether it’s 15 seconds or 15 minutes -- try to help L.A. keep winning.”  Ebanks feels the same way. “I could have went higher [in the draft] but I’m happy I’m here.  I get a chance to play with the world champs -- hopefully I’ll make the roster.”  Kupchak is just happy that he has two prospects that have a real shot to make the squad, given L.A.’s draft position.  “They’re both high quality players.  It’s unlikely.  It’s kind of a function of where you’re drafted -- it doesn’t alwayswork out that way,” said Kupchak.  “Typically second-round picks have to work harder to make the roster -- so that’s what they’re going to have to do.”   Caracter wants to help the Lakers beat teams like the Miami HEAT.  He’s kept a close eye on the summer’s developments like the rest of the NBA. “You see guys now teaming up with each other just to get a ring.  It’s not an accident, those guys are like that.  It goes to show you that championships are important,” said Derrick.  “There are a lot of great players that are great but because they never won a championship, they were never held to a certain standard.”  By what they’ve shown so far in Vegas, both Ebanks and Caracter look promising.  Expect the Lakers to add both to the training camp roster in early October.  In the meantime they’ll just keep at it.  “Not settling.  Not settling for a little bit of success with what’s going on here,” said Caracter.  “Keeping my faith in God first and continuing to keep working hard and everything will fall into place.”
Article was written for HoopsWorld by ERIC PINCUS  Read the original article

Lakers Draft Devin Ebanks & Derrick Caracter

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak on picking Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter in 2010 NBA Draft

Devin Ebanks

Lakers drafted smart in the second round yesterday by picking up University of West Virginia small forward, Devin Ebanks.  This kid plays very good man-on-man defense and was a solid rebounder.

• Birthday: 10/28/89
• NBA Position: Small Forward
• Class: Sophomore
• Ht: 6-8
• Wt: 208
• Hometown: Long Island City, NY
• High School: St. Thomas More

Strengths: Long and lean small forward possessing a ‘smooth’ game … His wingspan is incredible and he seemingly gets his paws on every ball … Prolific rebounder (8.5 RPG). Particularly innate offensive rebounder (3 per game) … Grabs boards outside of his area. Quick off his feet and anticipates caroms extremely well. Breaks for the ball before anyone else on the court … High percentage shooter, rarely takes a bad shot (47%) … Very soft touch around the basket. Crafty with a variety of release points … Knows how to get shots off in the paint … Exhibits excellent body control … Shows promise with his mid-range jumper … Gets good elevation and has picturesque shooting mechanics … Appears comfortable at the free throw stripe where he shoots 74% … Will occasionally take his game into the post and shoot over smaller defenders … Thrives in transition as he runs the floor very well and takes long, loping strides … Makes smart decisions with the ball in his hands … Good passer averaging 2.7 assists per game … Has the ability to see over the defense and find cutters … Versatile defender with the ability to guard multiple positions … Often matches up with the opponent’s top perimeter threat … Moves his feet pretty well for 6-9, and his length can bail him out if he’s beaten off the bounce … Long arms and quick hands net him a steal per contest … Has a fire in his eyes at the defensive side, something very rare.

Weakness:  Right now, he has no 3pt shooting.  There were games last year where he simply doesn’t look at the basket.

Derrick Caracter

While Caracter has shown flashes of development in other areas of his game, he is still incredibly reliant on his post game, as 80 of his 142 charted offensive possessions on Synergy were of the post-up variety. Looking to the NBA, he will need to diversify his game some to find a long-term niche in all likelihood, and should probably look at fellow under-the-rim banger Craig Smith as a player to model himself after. Improving on his ability to finish off cuts and pick-and-rolls by using his massive body to seal out defenders and create angles is something that could help him contribute in multiple ways in the pros.

Defensively, Caracter has an improved effort level and focus this season, though there are still many things holding him back from being an effective defender. In the post, he actually shows decent fundamental in man-to-man situations, getting into his opponent and using his strength to hold position well. That said, with very little lift and a weak standing reach, he’s very prone to being shot over, and can be outmaneuvered by quicker opponents as well.