That's why he's back on the Manoa campus this summer, working toward a bachelor's degree.

"I miss all the beautiful weather and all the beautiful people," he said. "But the biggest reason I came back was for school."

He said he will take courses at UH this summer and next to meet the requirements for a degree in sociology.

Burneika was a tri-captain and one of the top reserves on UH's 27-6 NCAA Tournament team of 2001-02. He averaged 9.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game and became a crowd favorite because of his animated style of play.

He spent the last two years playing professional basketball in Europe. Last season, he averaged 13.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game for Spartak, a team in Russia. He also led the team with 63 3-pointers in 34 games.

In addition to taking classes this summer, Burneika will be one of the guest instructors at the UH Rainbow Basketball Camp, June 9 to 14.

"I like to work with the kids," he said. "And one of the things I remember the most from Hawai'i is the fans."

Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace and his staff will direct the camp. Several other former and current UH players are expected to assist, including Haim Shimonovich, Nerijus Puida and Lance Takaki.

There will be two separate camps — one from June 9 to 11, and another from June 12 to 14. Instruction will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day in the various gyms on the UH athletic complex.

Cost is $150 per child per session, and includes one basketball and a T-shirt. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 5 through 17 (players will be separated into groups based on age and skill level).

For registration information, call 956-6501.