NCAA rule could impact UH foreign recruiting
By Ferd Lewis and Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writers
University of Hawai'i coaches will have to be more selective in the foreign athletes they recruit if a proposed NCAA rule is approved this month.
The NCAA Board of Directors will meet April 25 to approve several pieces of recommended legislation, including a proposal that would severely limit the initial eligibility of foreign recruits in all sports.
International athletes would have to enroll in a U.S. college immediately after completing high school or risk losing a year or more of their eligibility.
Athletes who play one season or less of organized competition after high school in their sport would have to sit out one season in residence at the American school they go to. Those who play more than one season of organized competition after high school would forfeit all their NCAA eligibility.
"It will definitely make it more difficult (to recruit internationally)," said Daniel Arakaki, UH compliance coordinator. Arakaki said the proposal is similar to the rule used in tennis but is being made uniform across all sports.
If approved, the rule would take effect for all student-athletes entering college on or after Aug. 1.
UH men's basketball head coach Riley Wallace described the proposal as "not good." Over the past two seasons, the men's basketball team would have had at least four players ineligible under the proposal, including star Predrag Savovic.
"A lot of these (international) guys don't have the opportunities to play ball like the guys in America do," Wallace said. "A lot of times, the only option they have is to play club ball."
The proposal would not affect players who are already enrolled in college. However, potential recruits could be affected.
Dane Dmitrovic, who signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to play basketball for UH, would not be affected because he is coming to Hawai'i directly out of high school in Slovenia.
"You just have to change your recruiting strategy," Wallace said. "You have to try and get them when they're younger. We'd still be OK, but it would take away opportunities from a lot of (international) players looking for an education."
Vince Goo, Wahine basketball coach, said it will complicate things for women's teams because in several countries there are no high school sports for women and it is only after athletes have played on club or junior teams that U.S. schools become aware of the prospects.
Mike Wilton, UH men's volleyball coach, said, "it could have a real impact for us."
In another move, the NCAA tightened its definition of a pro team. Previously the NCAA said foreign athletes were considered professional if they played with or against professional athletes if they knew or should have known the other players were receiving money. Under proposed legislation, a player would be ineligible, "regardless of whether the individual knew (or has reason to know) that a team was a professional team."
