UH may get Vebobe back for next game

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The lengthy and frustrating eligibility cases involving two players on the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team might finally be coming to a close.

In the case of Luc-Arthur Vebobe, maybe sooner than expected.

Vebobe, a junior forward from France, may be cleared this week to play in Hawai'i's next game, Monday against Alcorn State.

Based on another case involving a French player, UH officials believe Vebobe should not sit out more than the six games he has already missed while awaiting a decision.

Pawel Storozynski of Texas Tech was given a seven-game penalty by the NCAA last week, but that included a three-game penalty for receiving educational expenses from the league. Vebobe played in the same league, but did not receive any expenses.

"Because (the NCAA) ruled on that case, we're assuming they're going to follow those same guidelines for every other case," UH head coach Riley Wallace said.

In the case of star guard Predrag Savovic, UH officials are hoping for an eight-game penalty. Like Vebobe, Savovic has already sat out six games.

The Yugoslavian league Savovic participated in before arriving in the United States is apparently being considered professional by the NCAA. Because of that, UH officials have declared Savovic ineligible, and are asking that he be reinstated after sitting out eight games.

The maximum penalty for players who participated in foreign leagues with professionals is eight games.

"Based on the information that's come up, and because it's taken so long already, we'll take the eight games for Savo," Wallace said.

However, if the NCAA does not accept UH's proposal on Vebobe or Savovic, the cases could extend beyond eight games.

The 'Bows have started this season 5-1 without three players under investigation.

Tony Akpan's case is more complicated, and could drag on throughout the season. The NCAA is seeking information on his travel expenses prior to attending UH.