Friday, April 20, 2001
[ BASKETBALL ]
Akpan likes Hawaii THE HIGH SCHOOL COACH of Tony Akpan said yesterday it is a "distinct possibility" the 6-foot-8, 230-pound power forward will sign a letter of intent within the next few days to accept a basketball scholarship at the University of Hawaii.
Coach says Nigerian
rebounder impressedBy Dave Reardon
Star-BulletinAkpan visited UH last weekend with his Central Park Christian (Birmingham, Ala.) teammate, 6-6 swingman Lucky Williams. Both are originally from Nigeria.
Their coach, Levan Parker, said Akpan is leaning toward Hawaii. He said Williams was strongly considering Alabama, but as of last night, UH wasn't out of the question.
"Both of them liked what they saw, Tony in particular," Parker said. "They were really impressed with the program, the coaches, the players and the people. They came back really excited about the possibilities."
Akpan averaged more than 17 points and 9 rebounds a game for Central Park Christian, an independent school that went 26-2 against a strong regional schedule.
"He's a rugged guy who loves to rebound. He doesn't have to be the leading scorer," said Ron Ingram, prep sports editor at the Birmingham News.
The Eagles finished fourth in the National Association of Christian Athletics tournament last season. Central Christian won the tournament in 1998 and 1999.
"When people found out how good they are, nobody (locally) wanted to play against them," Ingram said. "They are bigger (in height) than Auburn and Alabama."
North Carolina-Wilmington is the only other school Akpan has visited, but Parker said recent inquiries have come from Old Dominion, Miami, Cal State Fullerton, Xavier and Fairleigh Dickinson.
Williams has also attracted interest from NC-Wilmington.
Parker said Akpan and Williams are excellent students with good character. Currently, both are partial-qualifiers for four-year college because of borderline entrance exam scores. But Parker said both were "just a point or two off because of the language difference," and are awaiting additional test results that should put them over the top.
"They are very conscientious, with excellent grades. They don't miss class, they ask questions and ask for extra work," said Parker, who is also the school's headmaster. "They've done remarkably well considering these young men are not Americans and have had to deal with southern cliches. They've added to the atmosphere of our school with their background and have been well received in the school and community."
Akpan and Williams also got high marks for academics and character at East Side High School in Newark, N.J. two years ago.
But, along with three other foreign players, they were caught up in a scandal that made them ineligible to play basketball and caused the suspension of the team's coach.
According to stories in the Newark Star-Ledger, the five foreign teenagers were living in an apartment without adult supervision. Also, illegal recruiting questions arose regarding how the players arrived in the United States without their parents.
Parker said one reason Akpan and Williams ended up at his school is that Central Christian's mission includes helping students who have few other options.
In other recruiting news, two players from Barton County (Kan.) Community College who showed early interest in UH have committed elsewhere; 5-10 point guard Eric Bush will go to Alabama-Birmingham and 6-7 Carlton Baker is headed to San Jose State.
There was no word yesterday on a decision by 6-9 Luc-Arthur Vebobe, a small forward from Foothill College (Calif.) who has narrowed his choices to Hawaii and Nevada-Reno.
Also, a source said Santa Clara has expressed interest in 6-4 point guard Mark Campbell of Clackamas (Ore.) CC. Campbell is scheduled to visit Hawaii this weekend.
Per NCAA rules, coaches are not allowed to talk about players they are recruiting. But UH coach Riley Wallace did say yesterday he has come to a verbal agreement with Nike for the shoe company to renew its sponsorship package with the Rainbows.
"We have nothing in writing yet, but it will be similar to the (three-year) deal we had before," Wallace said. "They'll supply us with shoes, sweats and help with our summer camp and some money."
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
