Posted on: Monday, April 30, 2001
California JC basketball player will sign with UH
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Spanning the globe in search of post players, the Hawai'i men's basketball team discovered another recruit with international experience.
Paul Jesinskis, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward, said last night he will sign a letter of intent to play for the Rainbows this coming season. Jesinskis is originally from South Africa, but played the past two seasons at Skyline College in San Bruno, Calif.
"This team has a lot of potential, and I felt like I could fit in and prove myself," Jesinskis said.
He visited O'ahu over the weekend, and said he will fax his letter of intent to the Rainbow coaches today.
Due in large part to a knee injury midway through last season, Jesinskis "slipped through the cracks" of NCAA Division I recruiters, according to Skyline coach Pete Pontacq. In 20 games, Jesinskis averaged 13.9 points and 10 rebounds per game. After a torn miniscus was discovered in his right knee, he underwent surgery and missed the final 15 games.
"Basically, I got it repaired," Jesinskis said. "It feels great now, and I have no doubt that it will be better than ever once I get to Hawai'i."
Added Pontacq: "He could have been one of the top (junior college) recruits out of California if not for the injury."
Prior to enrolling at Skyline, Jesinskis was a member of South Africa's junior national program for two years.
Pontacq describes Jesinskis as a "fierce rebounder" who can play both forward positions. In recent years, Pontacq has either coached or been associated with former Rainbows Phil Handy, Seth Sundberg, Marquette Alexander and Mike Robinson. He said Jesinskis is as good as any of them "because he's got such a great upside and a great attitude."
Rider was the only other NCAA Division I program actively recruiting Jesinskis, who will have two seasons of eligibility at UH.
He will be the fourth recruit to sign with the Rainbows, and the third with an international background. Earlier, Hawai'i signed forwards LucArthur Vebobe and Tony Akpan, and point guard Mark Campbell.
