Thursday, April 19, 2001
[ BASKETBALL ]
LUC-ARTHUR VEBOBE had not decided between the University of Hawaii and Nevada-Reno yesterday, but a junior college recruiting expert said whichever school signs the 6-foot-9 forward to a letter of intent will get "a big-time talent." ‘Big-time talent’
will pick UH or RenoBy Dave Reardon
Star-BulletinVebobe, a small forward with a nice outside touch, visited Hawaii last weekend and Reno earlier. He was expected to choose between the Western Athletic Conference schools this week.
St. Bonaventure, Colorado, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Washington wanted Vebobe to visit, but he turned them down.
The native of France averaged 11.5 points and five rebounds last season at Foothill College (Los Altos, Calif.).
"Talent is no concern," said Rick Ball of Ballplayers JC Report. "If he changes a couple things, he could be a future pro."
Ball indicated that attitude could be a concern with Vebobe, but UH sophomore guard Carl English, who has met Vebobe, said that he could fit in well with the Rainbows.
"He seems like a good guy, and a good player," English said. "So did the Nigerians."
"The Nigerians" are 6-8 forward Tony Akpan and 6-6 swingman Lucky Williams, who played high school ball in Alabama last year. Akpan is seen as a candidate to fill UH's rebounding void.
In other recruiting news, Fresno State signed 6-2 point guard Chris Sandy of Westark (Ark.) JC. Sandy averaged 14 points and 5 assists last season. Although Sandy did not visit Hawaii, the Rainbows were in the running for the second-team JC All-American; Ball said he does not think Sandy is a huge loss for the Rainbows.
"He's a good player, but not a special player," said Ball.
Sandy's signing by FSU added to speculation that Bulldogs point guard Tito Maddox might leave school for the NBA draft.
Point guard Mark Campbell of Clackamas (Ore.) CC is visiting Hawaii this weekend. Although he can score, the 6-4 Campbell is considered a pure, pass-first point and might fill the Rainbows' needs better than Sandy.
Campbell averaged about 17 points, 7 rebounds and a nation-leading 11 assists last season.
He is expected to have no problems qualifying for admission and has two years of eligibility, while there are questions about whether Sandy has one or two years left.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
