Sensley now eligible to play
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
After completing a history class this week, Julian Sensley's junior college days are now history.
Sensley said he recently completed the necessary academic work required to receive his associate's degree from Los Angeles City College. By earning that degree, Sensley can now enroll in classes and be immediately eligible to play for the University of Hawai'i basketball team.
"It's a great relief," said Sensley, a former standout player at Kalaheo High. "Now I can just concentrate on UH and get my game ready for the season."
Sensley, a 6-foot-9 forward, is considered the top player of UH's 2003 recruiting class. He will be listed as a sophomore this season and will have three seasons of college eligibility.
Sensley signed a letter of intent to play with UH in May, but he needed to earn his associate's degree by the end of this summer to become eligible.
"I know there were a lot of people out there questioning whether or not I could do it (academically)," he said. "I looked at it as another chance to prove the doubters and critics wrong."
Sensley was enrolled at Los Angeles CC for one year, but class credits previously earned at Diablo Valley College (Calif.) counted toward his associate's degree.
Sensley averaged 13.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a freshman last season for Los Angeles CC. The Cubs finished 36-2 and won the state championship.
He was a first team all-state selection at Kalaheo as a sophomore and junior before enrolling at St. Thomas More — a prep school in Connecticut.
Cruising with King James: Sensley said he has spent the past few days playing tour guide for Cleveland Cavaliers rookie LeBron James.
"He's here on vacation, so we've just been hanging out," Sensley said. "I'm trying to show him all the spots."
Sensley and James became friends a few years ago when both were attending various basketball camps for high school stars across the country.
James was the No. 1 pick of the NBA Draft in June shortly after graduating from high school in Ohio. He has already signed an endorsement deal with Nike worth around $90 million, and a three-year contract with the Cavaliers worth around $13 million.
"He's actually a real humble guy; he doesn't have a big ego or anything," Sensley said. "But you could say we've been going around in style."
Back to Europe: Former UH standout Troy Ostler will play professional basketball in Europe again this season, according to his agent, Ben Pensack.
Ostler, a 6-10 forward, participated in two summer leagues with the New York Knicks, but was not invited to attend the Knicks' training camp.
Ostler will play for Latvia's national team during the European Championships next month. He played professional basketball in Latvia for the past two seasons, and earned Latvian citizenship this year.
Pensack said Ostler will likely sign with a team in Russia for the upcoming season.
No, Canada: Former UH star Carl English declined an invitation to play with Canada's national team during the Olympic Qualifying Tournament at Puerto Rico next week so that he could instead train exclusively for the Indiana Pacers.
English signed a two-year free-agent contract with the Pacers last month, but must still earn a roster spot during training camp. English will report to Indiana's training camp in late September.
