Pitino puts Caracter on Scott Padgett plan

Under Rick Pitino's new plan, Derrick Caracter could return to the University of Louisville basketball team for the 2009-10 season. But to do so, the 6-9 junior must sit out the upcoming season, get a job and play by Pitino's rules.

"Derrick has come to me repeatedly in the last two months asking to return to our team. I have encouraged him to choose a different path over and over. He came to me one more time and asked for any option available to get back on the team," Pitino said in a statement released Tuesday night. "I have given him the same option I gave Scott Padgett when he played for me at Kentucky."

That means Caracter won't play this season, though he could return in 2009-10.

"If Derrick is willing to grow up in the game of life and we can help him realize his potential, then we are there to help him. But that's a big if. He will not be a part of our team next year. He will have to measure up in three areas -- as a student, as a person and as a basketball player -- before I will entertain the possibility of him returning to our team for the 2009-10 season.

"We expect him to get a job, pay for school on his own, get in shape and abide by the other steps I have reviewed with him. If he measures up, then he can earn his way back. But that remains to be seen."