Saturday, April 28, 2001
[ BASKETBALL ]
Rainbows IF PAUL JESINSKIS decides to play basketball for the University of Hawaii, he will already have a buddy on the Rainbows.
trying to pen
Akpan’s pal
Paul Jesinskis' JC coach
thinks the South African would
be a good fit at UHBy Dave Reardon
Star-BulletinJesinskis, a 6-foot-7 power forward from Skyline College (San Bruno, Calif.) is visiting UH this weekend.
"Paul and Tony Akpan are penpals," Skyline coach Pete Pontacq said. "They played in some tournaments against each other and became friends. Paul saw that Tony had signed with UH on the 'net and said, 'Hey, I know this guy.'"
Pontacq -- who coached former Rainbows Phil Handy and Seth Sundberg at Skyline -- said he thinks Jesinskis will choose UH over Northwestern, Ryder and St. Mary's.
"I get the feeling he would fit in really well there," Pontacq said of the South Africa native. "There's the international aspect. And he's a great kid. Very polite, outgoing and intelligent."
And he likes to rebound. Jesinskis averaged around 10 points and 10 rebounds before a meniscus tear ended his season 20 games into Skyline's season.
"He's a good shooter, but his best thing is defensive rebounding," Pontacq said. "He missed the last 15 games, but he still led the team in total rebounds, blocks, dunks and charges taken.
"He's about 80 percent and should be at 100 percent by the start of next season," the coach said. "He started playing again about a month ago. His stamina isn't where it needs to be."
Jesinskis has a 3.25 grade-point-average, and scored 1100 on his SAT coming out of high school. He has two years of playing eligibility remaining.
Hawaii has signed three recruits so far: 6-8 power forward Akpan, 6-9 small forward LucArthur Vebobe and 6-4 point guard Mark Campbell.
The Rainbows have one or two scholarships remaining to give, depending on the status of guards Ricky Terrell and Jeep Hilton. UH has declined to confirm speculation the two may not return.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
