Top recruiter Wheeler likes look of incoming players

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

The thing about recruits?

Jackson Wheeler said he likes the look of this year's recruits.

"What matters is how they do on the court when the lights go on," said Jackson Wheeler, associate coach for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team. "But I think that we brought in three good ones."

Wheeler should know. He recruited all three players in this year's class of new Rainbow Warriors: 7-foot center Chris Botez, 6-4 guard Matt Gibson, and 6-9 forward Matt Gipson.

Botez's signing Friday brought a temporary end to Hawai'i's recruiting season (a pending NCAA ruling could open up more scholarships for the 'Bows).

Wheeler, Hawai'i's chief recruiter, responded to 10 questions about the 2004 class:

Q. Did you fulfill all your needs with this class?

A. "Yes. Every position we felt like we needed to replace, we got it. We're happy because those were our three No. 1 choices. Chris Botez was our first choice at center, we got him; 'Little Matt' was our first choice at shooting guard, we got him; 'Big Matt' was our first choice at power forward, we got him."

Q. Would you consider all three of the recruits to be immediate impact players?

A. "It's hard to come out and say that all three guys are going to be starters, because they still have to prove themselves. But we wanted three guys who we knew could play right away — challenge for a starting spot — and that's what we got."

Q. Botez spent a week contemplating between Hawai'i and Boise State. If he chose Boise State, was there an alternative recruit for Hawai'i?

A. "Yes. We were looking at one other guy, but by the rules, I'm not allowed to talk about him because he hasn't signed with anybody yet."

Q. Due to NCAA rules, you were limited to three scholarship offers this year. That gives you 10 scholarship players for next season, three short of the maximum 13. If the NCAA changes its rules in the next few weeks, would Hawai'i try to sign three more players immediately to reach the maximum 13?

A. "Not three. Maybe one. We'd like to get another guard if we can find one. We don't want to bring in guys just to fill (the scholarships). If we can't find anybody, it'll be better to save the scholarships and recruit more guys for the following year."

Q. Seven of eight recruits over the past two years have been junior college transfers. Why?

A. "Those are the areas I'm familiar with, and that's just the way it's been working out. We'll go after high school guys when we can. But even with the JUCO guys, we can find guys with three years of eligibility — guys like Little Matt. That helps to have them for three years."

Q. You have 10 scholarship players, and one returning walk-on for next season. Are you looking for more walk-ons to fill the roster?

A. "Coach (Riley) Wallace is always looking at walk-ons. I think we have some local kids who might be interested, and if we find that they can play Division I basketball and help us out, we'll take them."

Q. Were coaches and players on the Mainland more aware of Hawai'i this year because of the recent success and exposure of the UH program?

A. "Yes and no. I would say we've kind of found our niche. We look for guys who can fit in with us on the court and in the classroom. We have a winning program right now with good kids and good academics, so the kids we recruit need to be attracted to that. Of course, there are still some kids out there who don't know anything about us."

Q. No international players have signed with UH in the past two years. Has the international pipeline dried out?

A. "No. We're always looking for foreign players. We looked at three this year. We almost signed another Lithuanian, but it just didn't work out. We like who they are and what they represent. They're good workers and good students, so we'll keep looking for them."

Q. How difficult is it to recruit basketball players to Hawai'i?

A. "I don't think it matters what program you're at. I think you have to find the kind of players that are going to make you successful. Different programs look for different kinds of players to make them successful. Are there obstacles for us? Yeah. The ocean is a huge obstacle. But we have a lot of pluses to offer, too, that nobody else can offer."

Q. Has recruiting for the 2005-06 season started?

A. "It's a never-ending process. We already have a list of guys we're looking at for next year."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.