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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, March 30, 2002

UH's Savovic, partner win 3-point contest

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The hotshot from Hawai'i was a hit in the "Hot Shot Shootout" yesterday in Atlanta.

Predrag Savovic teamed with one of the Harlem Globetrotters to win the "Hot Shot Shootout" during the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Roundball Challenge at Georgia Tech's Alexander Memorial Coliseum.

Savovic, a 6-foot-6 guard from Yugoslavia who just completed his senior season with the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team, was one of 12 college seniors selected to participate in the Roundball Challenge.

The 3-point shooting contest was held prior to an exhibition game between the NABC All-Stars and the Harlem Globetrotters.

"It was fun," Savovic said. "I hit some and my partner hit some. We got a little trophy for it."

The Shootout featured two-man teams — one player from the NABC All-Stars and one from the Harlem Globetrotters — with the combined score of both players counting toward the final total. In typical Savovic fashion, he did not know the name of his partner from the Globetrotters.

In any case, UH head coach Riley Wallace said Savovic provided his share of 3-pointers.

"Savo hit his first four shots, so I knew he was feeling it," said Wallace, who is also in Atlanta this week to watch the NCAA Final Four. "It's too bad he used up all his shots right there."

Indeed, Savovic scored just four points during the exhibition game against the Globetrotters. Both of his baskets were layups. He did not start, but played about 25 minutes. His second half playing time was limited after he picked up his fourth foul early in the half.

"I felt good, the shots just didn't fall," Savovic said.

Still, the NABC All-Stars defeated the Globetrotters, 86-76. Oregon's Fred Jones led the All-Stars with 15 points, while Tony Akins of hometown Georgia Tech added 14.

"It was a great experience just to run up and down the court with all those great players," Savovic said. "We tried to run some plays, but it was an all-star game, so we mostly just ran and did whatever."

Savovic said he will stay in Atlanta to watch the NCAA Final Four semifinals today, and then return to Honolulu tomorrow.