The stress of not having a contract was not as stressful as having this year's recruiting class still unfilled. Recruiting top priority
for Wallace, RainbowsBy Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comHawaii basketball coach Riley Wallace -- whose contract expired yesterday -- spent time jovially replying to pseudo job offers. He was also hoping the fax machine would ring, and begin printing out at least one letter of intent.
The Rainbows have two scholarship offers out to Weatherford (Texas) Community College teammates Vaidotas Peciukas and Emigijus Lukosius, both 6-foot-6 and high-scoring. The two Lithuanians are expected to finish making their final campus visits this week.
Peciukas, who just finished his freshman year for the Coyotes, had attracted the attention of Oklahoma and Illinois after deciding he would leave the Texas school after just one season. The forward, drawing interest from Georgia and Indiana State following a JUCO All-American sophomore year, was visiting South Alabama and Southwest Missouri State this week.
Lukosius' girlfriend, guard Emily Nash, visited Hawaii last week and is a potential Wahine recruit.
The last day to sign binding letters of intent is May 15.
Still in the mix for the Rainbows is Clackamas (Ore.) Community College guard Mike Kuebler, the former teammate of current Hawaii guard Mark Campbell. Kuebler has made visits to Furman and Boise State as well as Hawaii.
NCAA rules prohibit coaches from discussing recruits. However, the Hawaii coaching staff has indicated that it hopes that the incoming class will be completed by the weekend.
Wallace said he spoke with graduating senior guard Predrag Savovic, who left for New York on Tuesday. Savovic said he is working out informally with several NBA teams but will return to Hawaii to participate in graduation on May 19; he has finished the course work for a double major in international business and finance.
The All-American guard will then head to Chicago for the Pre-NBA Draft Camp, June 4-7. He is expected to be selected in the NBA Draft on June 26.
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