The basketball pipeline from Texas to Hawaii continues to flow. Yesterday, Vaidotas Peciukas signed with the Rainbow basketball team, becoming the third recruit to commit during the late signing period. Rainbows take more
talent from Texas JCHawaii gets another Lithuanian
from Weatherford CollegeBy Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comThe 6-foot-6 guard, who has three years of eligibility, is also the third player from Lithuania via Weatherford (Texas) College to join the Rainbows. The others were Nerijus Puida (1999-2001) and Mindaugas Burneika (2000-02).
"They got another good one," Weatherford coach Mark Osina said in a telephone call yesterday. "He's a very good player and has a chance to become even better over there. I think he's a good fit for Hawaii."
Hawaii beat out Oklahoma, Florida and Illinois for Peciukas, a member of the Lithuanian Junior National Team, which will compete in the European championships this summer. The NTJCAC Freshman of the Year averaged nearly 23 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists per game for the Coyotes.
"He's going to have three with us and we're very happy about that," said Rainbow coach Riley Wallace. "Vaidotas is a big-time scorer who has really good speed. He shoots the ball well from the perimeter and has great court awareness. He's like a combination of Nerijus and Mindaugas; he runs the ball like Nerijus and shoots it like Mindaugas."
Hawaii has one more scholarship remaining and has made an offer to Peciukas' Weatherford teammate, 6-6 forward Emigijus Lukosius. Lukosius made a campus visit to South Alabama earlier this week and returned last night from a trip to Southwest Missouri State.
"I haven't talked to him (Lukosius) yet, so I don't know what he's thinking about doing," said Osina. "I know he had a good trip to Hawaii."
The Hawaii coaches also remain interested in Clackamas (Ore.) Community College guard Mike Kuebler, who visited last week. Kuebler, the former teammate of Hawaii guard Mark Campbell, is also being recruited by Furman and Boise State.
The late signing period concludes May 15. Hawaii earlier signed Dane Dmitrovic, a 6-10 forward from Slovenia, who comes in as a freshman, and Jason Carter, a 5-10 guard out of Barton County (Kan.) Community College.
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