Posted on: Tuesday, October 29, 2002

Ex-UH player Akana will assist Nuggets

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Predrag Savovic is not the only rookie with Hawai'i ties out to prove himself with the Denver Nuggets this season.

Jarinn Akana, a shooting guard for the University of Hawai'i from 1992-94, is entering his first season as an NBA assistant coach with the Nuggets.

Akana, a Moloka'i High graduate, was promoted to the position in September. He is considered the third assistant (of four) behind head coach Jeff Bzdelik.

Previously, Akana was a director of player development and Asia scout for the Nuggets. He held a similar position with the Dallas Mavericks for one season before moving to Denver last year.

"The NBA is a small fraternity, so it's very hard to get in," said Akana, 32. "It's even harder for a guy from Hawai'i like me to make it. I feel really lucky."

In August, when Denver was still in search of a head coach, Akana and Bzdelik served as co-coaches for the Nuggets' summer league team. Bzdelik was named head coach in late August, and he hired Akana a few weeks later.

Akana said his main responsibility is to work with the first- and second-year players, including Savovic.