Recruiting class to debut during Midnight Ohana
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
A highly touted recruiting class will make its debut for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team on Friday.
At the annual Midnight Ohana — the first official practice for UH — newcomers Jason Carter, Dane Dmitrovic, Michael Kuebler and Vaidotas Peciukas will wear Rainbow Warrior uniforms for the first time.
"I've never been involved in anything remotely close to this, so it's extremely exciting for me," said Kuebler, who played at Clackamas Community College (Ore.) last season.
Hawai'i received honorable mention in the Prep Stars Recruiter's Handbook list of the top recruiting classes across the nation.
"There's no pressure," Carter said. "We just have to do what we normally do and have fun."
Carter (5-foot-10 junior guard), Kuebler (6-5 junior guard) and Peciukas (6-6 sophomore forward) are all expected to compete for playing time, if not starting positions. Dmitrovic, a 6-10 freshman from Slovenia, needs to gain strength, but could eventually become a factor in the low post.
Walk-ons Ramsey Williams and Ikaika Alama-Francis — both former Hawai'i first-team all-state players — will also make their UH debuts on Friday.
Eleven players, including four starters, return from last season's record-breaking 27-6 team.
English No. 1: Junior guard Carl English was the No. 1 draft choice in the selection of teams for the intrasquad scrimmage at Midnight Ohana. English was selected by the Green team, which will be led by associate head coach Jackson Wheeler.
Senior point guard Mark Campbell was the first pick of the White team, which will be led by new assistant coach Bob Burke.
Festivities, including carnival games, will begin at 8 p.m. The scrimmage will begin shortly after midnight.
Green team: Carl English, Haim Shimonovich, Vaidotas Peciukas, Jason Carter, Nkeruwem Tony Akpan, Ikaika Alama-Francis, Ramsey Williams, Gabe Lombard.
White team: Mark Campbell, Michael Kuebler, Phil Martin, Paul Jesinskis, Milos Zivanovic, Dane Dmitrovic, Lance Takaki, Ryne Holliday, Dan Pickart.
Burneika signs: Former 'Bow Mindaugas Burneika recently signed a contract with the Ricoh Astronauts, a professional team in Holland.
Burneika was a senior captain on last year's UH squad.
