Give Derrick Caracter some credit. Most underclassmen who declare for the NBA draft don’t have a back-up plan.
Then again, I’m not sure Caracter’s given this enough thought.
“If Plan A doesn’t work out, Plan B would be joining the Navy. I would do something like that. Seriously,” he told HoopsHype.com. “I think it would be a great experience. You travel, you train, you can be chillin’ in Japan. You get to see different things and differents parts of the world. That’s something I always wanted to do: travel around the world. See different things, new people, cultures and lifestyles.”
Perhaps Caracter’s been reading up on the Navy’s website. That last part’s straight from the “Why Join?” section. Also on there: health-care coverage, financial security and future job training.
And hey, this isn’t an anti-military screed. But I think Caracter’s a little too caught up in the travel and other perks - and glossing over everything else.
Until last season, he was known for his weight issues, poor attitude and academic woes. You know what’s a huge part of Navy boot camp? All three. Recruits are expected to be physically fit, compliant to commanding officers and learn a host of orders and manuals.
Then again, maybe it’d be worth it just to see Caracter’s 6-foot-8 frame in a sub...
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