HoopsHype.com Rumors

In what he called a "freak accident," Lakers rookie forward Devin Ebanks said he suffered a stress fracture in his left leg during a practice in Memphis three weeks ago. "We were playing a three-on-three game and I stepped back and fell into a chair," Ebanks said. "The chair got me." Ebanks played through the pain, participating in practices and even playing in four games since then. The pain, however, became so overwhelming during practice Thursday that he had trouble jumping and running. "I was running down the court and I thought, 'I can't do it,'" Ebanks said of his injury, which Lakers Coach Phil Jackson originally thought happened during a morning shoot-around Feb. 10 in Boston. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Devin Ebanks, Injuries 

Rookie forward Devin Ebanks has a stress fracture on his left tibia and will miss a minimum of three weeks, according to the team. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Devin Ebanks, Injuries 

Mike Trudell: Lakers rookie Devin Ebanks has been diagnosed with a stress fracture of the left tibia. He'll miss a minimum of 3 weeks. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Devin Ebanks, Injuries 

Rookie forwards Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter could be sent down to the Development League next month if Smith proves to be a good backup for Odom, Jackson said. "Hopefully, it can get these kids some playing time and advance their career," he said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter, Devin Ebanks, D-League 

Phil Jackson said Sunday that he would like to see Ebanks and Caracter get more experience in the Developemental League this season, a real possibility when Andrew Bynum returns. Bynum, who continues to rehab his surgically-repaired knee, is expected back in the lineup around Thanksgiving. “I expect to move them aound a lot, but not until Andrew comes in,” Jackson said. “We’ll have to have that full roster right now.” Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter, Devin Ebanks, D-League 

Ron Artest: Devin Ebanks is very good. He can easily start on any team in the NBA A Major Future Star!! Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Ron Artest, Devin Ebanks 

Devin Ebanks: Yo if i had a dollar for every i look like trevor ariza comment i be able to afford the house kobe has in newport Twitter

Devin Ebanks, Trevor Ariza 

Lakers rookie Derrick Caracter has thought better of reminding everyone besides himself he dropped all the way to the No. 58 overall pick in the NBA draft. Caracter is planning to wear No. 45 with the Lakers instead of the No. 58 he previously chose. Caracter will have to make the team to make it matter, but he and fellow rookie Devin Ebanks had good summer-league time under new full-time Lakers assistant Chuck Person — whose No. 45 jersey hangs from the rafters at his alma mater, Auburn, and served him well in his NBA career. Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter, Devin Ebanks 

The Lakers signed second-round pick Devin Ebanks Thursday, a team spokesman said. Ebanks was selected with the 43rd overall pick out of West Virginia University. His contract is not guaranteed, but Ebanks will earn a salary of about $473,604, which is the minimum rookies can sign for, if he makes the roster. If he stays with the Lakers, his second year salary would be $736,420. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Devin Ebanks 

Kupchak has began contract negotiations with second-round draft picks Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter, who played well in summer league. Twitter

The signings of Barnes and Ratliff give the Lakers only 11 players on their roster, two shy of the NBA minimum. It's likely they would sign draft picks Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks, who impressed during summer league play. Last season, the Lakers carried 13players on their roster en route to winning their second consecutive NBA championship. Caracter and Ebanks would draw non-guaranteed contracts because they are second-round selections. Their salaries could be less than $500,000 each. Los Angeles Daily News

Because they are second-round picks, Ebanks and Caracter don't have guaranteed contracts awaiting them. In fact, even if the rookie forwards sign they will be paid less than $500,000 for next season, which could make them attractive additions to the salary-cap hampered Lakers. Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter, Devin Ebanks 

Second-round draft picks Devin Ebanks, selected No. 43 out of West Virginia, and Derrick Caracter, picked No. 58 out of UTEP, both came away looking like steals in their first taste of NBA action. Ebanks, the 6-9, 210-pound Trevor Ariza body double at small forward (he even wore Ariza's No. 3), led the Lakers with 21 points to go with two assists and two steals. Caracter, 6-9 and now 270 pounds -- after losing more than 30 pounds since college -- added 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in the Lakers' 89-84 loss to the Pistons. "I think both Caracter and Ebanks showed themselves capable of being in the league and being on the roster," said Chuck Person, the Lakers' coach for the five games the team will play in the Las Vegas Summer League. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Draft, Derrick Caracter, Devin Ebanks, Summer League 

The Lakers are considering adding Samardo Samuels and Javaris Crittenton to their Summer League roster alongside the two second round picks, Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter. Those are the only names I've heard thus far. HoopsWorld

Los Angeles Lakers, Javaris Crittenton, Derrick Caracter, Devin Ebanks, Summer League 

Mike Trudell: Devin Ebanks to reporters in LA: "I'm so happy right now, you don't understand." Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Draft, Devin Ebanks