Kuebler chooses Riley Wallace didn't score an ace during the Cable Car Classic pro-am golf tournament last week in the Bay Area. But the Hawaii men's basketball coach came home yesterday to find an ace of a recruit willing to pay his own way.
Rainbows
The chance to be a teammate
with Campbell played
a part in his decisionStar-Bulletin staff
Mike Kuebler, a 6-foot-4 guard out of Clackamas (Ore.) Community College, told the Rainbow coaches yesterday that he wanted to be part of the program -- scholarship or no scholarship. He said he made up his mind two weeks ago after making his campus visit, and canceled his planned trips to Furman and Boise State.
"I really liked it there and thought it would be a good place for me," he said.
Hawaii has one scholarship remaining for the 2002-03 season, with the final offer out to Weatherford (Texas) College forward Emigijus "Lukos" Lukosius, a 6-6 JUCO All-American.
Lukosius spoke with the Hawaii coaches by telephone yesterday as well as with fellow Lithuanian Mindaugus Burneika, a former Weatherford player.
"I told Lukos he would be missing a great opportunity if he did not come here," said Burneika, who finished his two-year Rainbow career in March.
It is apparently a package deal where Lukosius is concerned. He would like to be at the same school as his girlfriend, Emily Nash, a 6-foot starting guard for the Weatherford women's team.
Nash made her campus visit to Hawaii two weeks ago, but Wahine coach Vince Goo has not offered her a scholarship. Lukosius and Nash have been offered scholarships to Southwest Missouri State.
If Lukosius turns down Hawaii's offer, the scholarship will go to Kuebler, a former teammate of current Rainbow guard Mark Campbell. Kuebler led the Cougars to a 27-6 record this season, averaging 22.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists.
He was also named the MVP of the NAACC's Southern Division and earned conference all-academic honors, the only men's basketball player in the league to do so.
"You're going to love this kid," said Clackamas coach Clif Wegner. "I think he's a perfect fit for what Hawaii runs. Whether he's on scholarship or not, they're going to have a hard time keeping him off the floor.
"He and Mark (Campbell) have a special chemistry and that's a big reason that Mike wants to be there, to get the opportunity to play with Mark again. He'll flourish there. He's a great, great kid. You won't find a better quality human being anywhere."
Wallace could not comment on Kuebler's situation since the guard is still considered a recruit.
"But anyone we bring in is going to be pretty good," said Wallace.
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