Tuesday, March 24, 1998

By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Nani Cockett is weighing her options.

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Big-league decision
time for Cockett

The ex-Wahine basketball star
must choose between the
ABL and WNBA

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Representatives from the American Basketball League and the Women's National Basketball Association have made their pitch. The next move is up to Nani Cockett, the University of Hawaii's standout senior point guard.

Representatives from both leagues spoke with Cockett via telephone yesterday.

Also yesterday, Cockett had lunch with her father, Clay, and her former coach at Kamehameha Schools, Todd Apo, who is an attorney, to discuss her options.

"The ABL has the marquee players, and the average salary is much better, but the season is longer," Cockett said. "The ABL also plays when a lot of other sports are in season. The WNBA is played during the summer when there isn't that much going on. There would be more exposure and more opportunities. The season is shorter, which is good for me because my body needs some rest."

The WNBA will hold tryouts April 16-19 in Chicago. The league requires prospects to sign a contract prior to tryouts. If the prospect is selected in the April 29 draft, the contract is binding. If the prospect is not drafted, she is a free agent.

The deadline to accept the WNBA tryout invitation and sign a contract is March 31.

ABL tryouts are April 22-25 in San Francisco. The ABL does not require the signing of a contract, but would withdraw tryout invitations to prospects under contract to the WNBA.

A prospect signing with the WNBA, but not selected in the draft, would miss the ABL tryouts, but would have the opportunity to try out for individual teams.

Cockett probably won't make a decision until after meeting with UH head coach Vince Goo on Monday.

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