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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, October 15, 2002

6-8 forward to sign with UH

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

BLACKETT
The future for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team got even brighter yesterday.

And we're not even talking about this season.

Jeff Blackett, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward at Salt Lake Community College (Utah), said yesterday that he is committing to play for the Rainbow Warriors starting with the 2003-04 season.

"Between the basketball program and the community over there, I felt like Hawai'i was the perfect fit," Blackett said. "There were other schools I was considering, but it wasn't a tough choice."

Blackett was an honorable mention all-region pick last season after averaging 18.4 points and 9.3 rebounds as a freshman. He had a .518 field goal percentage, and led the team with 34 blocked shots and a .818 free throw percentage.

According to Salt Lake head coach Norm Parrish, Blackett can play both forward positions, and is "a legitimate All-America candidate" this season.

"The league we play in is pretty good, and he came in and put up great numbers," Parrish added. "He's a very active player — a very good mid-range shooter who goes after every (rebound)."

Blackett will play at Salt Lake this season, and then enroll at UH either next summer or fall. He will have two seasons of NCAA Division I eligibility. He was also being recruited by Creighton, Texas-El Paso, Weber State and Pacific.

Prior to enrolling at Salt Lake, Blackett served a two-year Mormon church mission in Russia.

Blackett, 22, was in attendance for the Midnight Ohana festivities last week.

"Everybody was so positive and friendly," he said. "I want to be a part of that."

Blackett and his wife, Lindsey, were married in June. His recruiting trip to Hawai'i last week also served as a belated honeymoon.

Lindsey plays volleyball at Salt Lake, and may try to join one of Hawai'i's Division II schools next season.

Blackett said he will sign his official letter of intent during basketball's early signing period, Nov. 13-20.