Posted on: Saturday, April 16, 2005
'Bows sign 6-2 point guard
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team continued to strengthen its backcourt of the future with the signing of another point guard yesterday.
John Wilder, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound sophomore at Weatherford College (Texas), signed a letter of intent to play for the Rainbow Warriors next season.
"I just wanted to be in a new environment and Hawai'i felt like the best situation," Wilder said.
He averaged 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game last season. In 14 conference games, Wilder made 20 3-pointers and had 22 steals.
Weatherford head coach Mark Osina described Wilder as "a real strong player who can play both (guard) spots."
"His freshman year he ran the point for us," Osina added. "This year, he was one of our better 3-point shooters, so we had him at the (shooting guard) spot."
Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace said he would like Wilder to play point guard for the 'Bows.
"He's a good ball-handler, and he's athletic and strong on defense," Wallace said.
Wilder, who was raised in Birmingham, Ala., said he has a vertical jump of "around 38 to 40" inches, and described his game as "explosive." He will be a junior at UH in the fall and will have two seasons of eligibility.
Wilder is the fourth player from Weatherford to sign with Hawai'i in recent years. The others were all from Lithuania: Nerijus Puida, Mindaugas Burneika and Vaidotas Peciukas.
"We've had some good luck with the guys coming out of that program, and we're hoping to continue that," Wallace said.
Wilder is the fourth recruit to sign with Hawai'i for next season. The others are 6-8 forward Ahmet Tidiane Gueye, 6-6 shooting guard Matt Lojeski, and 6-4 point guard Hiram Thompson.
In related news, sophomore point guard Kris Groce said he will transfer next season. "Probably something on the West Coast," said Groce, who played a limited reserve role last season.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
