Outside hitter will join Warriors
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i setter Sean Carney has yet to play in a collegiate volleyball match, but he already has recorded an assist.
Encouraged by Carney, outside hitter James O. Wilkes — the son of former professional basketball player James R. Wilkes — has agreed to join the Warriors this season.
Wilkes
Wilkes, who started six matches as a freshman for Lewis University last season, will have four years to play three seasons. Unlike other NCAA sports, men's volleyball does not require a transferring player to wait a year before being eligible to play.
NCAA rules prohibit future teammates and coaches from commenting publicly on an incoming transfer until he enrolls in schools.
But Cheryl Blair Wilkes said Carney was influential in her son's decision to transfer. Carney, who was The Advertiser's State Volleyball Player of Year as an Iolani School senior in 2003, attended Lewis last fall. After Dave Deuser resigned as Lewis' head coach, Carney decided to transfer to UH. He finished the fall semester at Lewis and redshirted last season at UH.
"The coaching change made him decide to leave (Lewis)," Cheryl Wilkes said of her son. "Sean is his best friend. They're constantly on the line. They want to play on the same team."
Wilkes' father was a basketball forward at UCLA. The Chicago Bulls selected the elder Wilkes in the third round of the 1980 draft. He played three seasons with the Bulls and the Detroit Pistons. He played another 10 seasons in a professional league in Japan.
Wilkes' mother played basketball at UC Riverside for two years before transferring to UCLA.
Wilkes was a multi-sport athlete before focusing on volleyball at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. His sister, Blair Wilkes, was a middle blocker at Long Beach State and Nevada-Las Vegas. Her coach at UNLV was Deitre Collins, an All-America volleyball player for the Rainbow Wahine.
"All of my children play volleyball," Cheryl Wilkes said. "It's become a new family tradition."
In 17 matches last season, James Wilkes averaged 2.2 kills and 0.37 aces per game. At 6 feet 6, Wilkes can touch 11-6. He can play opposite attacker and left-side hitter.
"He has a lot of physical ability," said Deuser, the former Lewis coach. "No question, he can do a lot of things. He needs more consistency, but that will come with more experience. He certainly has the tools."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
