Thursday, April 26, 2001

Point guard
Campbell
picks UH

The 6-4 JC transfer
likes the Rainbows'
team-first philosophy

By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

Last night Mark Campbell told the Star-Bulletin he had faxed a letter of intent to the University of Hawaii earlier in the day, accepting a basketball scholarship.

And if the 6-foot-4 point guard from Oregon City, Ore., tells you something, you can believe it.

After the coach who recruited him to Division I Cal Poly San Luis Obispo was fired, Campbell made a verbal commitment to transfer to Clackamas Community College. Two days later he got an offer from Southern Idaho, a top junior college team.

"(Clackamas) is just a small college. But I gave my word, so I felt I should follow through," Campbell said. "At first I thought I passed up a great opportunity, but I guess things worked out for the best."

Campbell averaged more than 14 points and 10 assists for Clackamas, which went 28-5.

He chose UH over Santa Clara, Portland, Portland State, Drake, St. Mary's and Creighton. More teams would have been after Campbell if not for a broken right wrist that forced him to miss last month's conference tournament.

"It's all healed now," Campbell said. "I'm dribbling and I should be shooting in about a week."

He said choosing UH wasn't difficult after his first visit to the islands last weekend.

"After seeing the caliber of players I'd be surrounded by, it wasn't that tough," Campbell said. "My game's all about teamwork. I felt real comfortable with the coaches and the players. I hope I can help them continue what they did at the end of last season."

Hawaii finished strong, winning the Western Athletic Conference tournament and making its first NCAA Tournament appearance in seven years.

Campbell, who has two years of eligibility, joins forwards LucArthur Vebobe (6-9) and Tony Akpan (6-8), who signed with UH last weekend.

The Rainbows hope to sign at least one more newcomer, probably a junior college post player.

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http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu