Just because the season is over doesn't mean the work stops at the Hawaii basketball office. No time to rest
for UH coachesBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comThere's recruiting to be done and conventions to attend following the Rainbows' 19-12 campaign, which ended with a loss to Minnesota in the National Invitation Tournament last Monday.
The team has one scholarship available heading toward the late signing period, which runs from April 16 to May 15.
Another scholarship could open up should junior guard Carl English decide to leave school early to enter the NBA Draft.
UH head coach Riley Wallace said the staff made inquiries to NBA teams about where English might be selected in this summer's draft. Wallace said English would probably return for his senior season at UH if he isn't taken in the first round.
"We're talking to some teams right now," Wallace said.
The Rainbows are looking to sign a small forward with their remaining scholarship.
UH associate coach Jackson Wheeler has been pounding the recruiting trail during the last month, making stops in Kansas, California, Oklahoma and Utah.
Wheeler was in Hutchinson, Kansas, last week for the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament, where he was able to check in on point guard Logan Lee, who signed with the Rainbows during the fall period.
Lee, a 6-foot-2 freshman, helped lead South Plains College (Levelland, Texas) to a 31-4 overall record and a 14-0 mark in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.
He was named to the all-conference team after averaging 9.6 points and 4.8 assists per game. He racked up 159 assists during the season to 89 turnovers.
"We're really pleased with the way he's come around," Wheeler said.
Jeff Blackett, another early signee, also enjoyed a solid season. The 6-foot-7 sophomore forward scored 13.9 points and grabbed 6.3 rebounds per game for Salt Lake Community College, which finished 21-11. He was a second-team Scenic West Athletic Conference selection.
Iolani senior Bobby Nash also signed early in the fall and scored 14.6 points per game in leading the Raiders to the state championship.
Bayou bound: Wallace leaves for New Orleans on Monday to attend the Final Four and the National Association of Basketball Coaches convention. He'll be joined by the rest of the staff on Wednesday.
In addition to taking in the national semifinal and championship games, the UH contingent plans to use the trip to attract teams to play in the Rainbow Classic.
Banquet reminder: The UH basketball banquet will be held April 16 at the Hawaii Prince Hotel.
No-host cocktails start at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 with the program to follow.
Tickets are $40 per person and are available at the UH basketball office. For more information, call Bobbie Omoto at 956-6501.