Former Rainbow English still an unsigned free agent

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The wait continues for Carl English.

Yesterday was the first day NBA teams could sign players to free-agent contracts, and English remained unsigned.

"Nothing's changed," said Harold Cipin, English's Toronto-based agent. "We're still continuing to pursue a contract."

English, a former University of Hawai'i standout, is in Indianapolis this week, practicing with the Indiana Pacers. He will play for an Indiana/Philadelphia split squad in the Rocky Mountain Revue, an NBA summer league that will start Sunday at Salt Lake City.

Cipin said the Pacers remain English's main focus as far as seeking a free-agent contract, but an official offer has yet to be made. Although English is listed on Indiana's summer roster, he is free to negotiate or sign with any NBA team.

"A lot of NBA teams have scouts at the (Rocky Mountain Revue)," Cipin said. "It would be nice to get a contract before that, but if not, Carl can use the league as his showcase for any of those teams."

Several media outlets reported this week that English reached an agreement with the Pacers and was supposed to sign a contract yesterday.

"Not true," Cipin said. "There's nothing happening with any finality."

English, a 6-foot-5 guard, declared for early entry into the NBA Draft after his junior season at UH, but was not among the 58 players selected in the June 26 draft.

Savo waits, too: Predrag Savovic, another former UH standout, is currently under a "team option" with the Denver Nuggets.

Savovic had a one-year guaranteed rookie contract with the Nuggets last season. The Nuggets have the first option of signing him for a second season, according to his agent, Marc Cornstein.

Savovic, a 6-6 guard, is playing for Denver in the Summer Pro League at Long Beach, Calif. He also will play with the Nuggets in the Rocky Mountain Revue.

"The Nuggets know Savo as a player and a person," Cornstein said. "It's not like he's trying out again. I think a lot will just depend on how the other free agent deals work out."

According to Cornstein, the Nuggets are not expected to make a decision on Savovic until after the completion of the summer leagues. If Denver does not re-sign Savovic, he would become a free agent and could sign with any other team.