Today is the final signing day for college basketball recruits, but for the University of Hawaii it’s more like sighing day and reflecting on what might have been — while remaining nervous about what might come to be.
Now, 6-4 JC transfer guard Roderick Bobbitt sounds promising. And especially considering UH remains under NCAA investigation, this guy is a tremendous get. He’s an all-around player who led the junior college ranks in steals while averaging nearly 16 points and more than five rebounds and five assists per game.
But you have to wonder how much this unresolved situation with the NCAA affects some other players’ decisions.
I say it’s probably a lot.
Jaleel Cousins is the 6-foot-10 brother of DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings. He chose South Florida, which he visited late last month, over UH.
On the surface there’s something wrong with that. The Bulls lost 20 games last year and the Rainbow Warriors won 20.
But can you blame Cousins?
He, like the rest of us, has no way of knowing what the result is going to be of this investigation, not even when it will end.
At least two of the staff members, Scott Fisher and Chris McMillian, are on their way out of Manoa — of their own volition or not, depending on whose version you prefer.
Another assistant, Brandyn Akana, is at the center of how the investigation got started in the first place, because of a highly questionable paperwork issue having to do with recruiting. He was suspended during the season for it, and in self-reporting UH hoped that might be that.
But now that the investigation has ensued, expanded and lengthened with another round of NCAA interviews with coaches, who knows if Akana will be around next season?
This is probably a good time to mention that Brandyn Akana’s brother, former UH player Jarinn Akana, is an agent representing DeMarcus Cousins.
The connection that got UH the "in" might have also gotten it the "out."
One of the things UH fans are freaking out about now is that the UH athletic director, Ben Jay, has said publicly the investigation would not hinder progress on signing coach Gib Arnold to a contract extension.
But what else can he say? The investigation has surely provided enough negative recruiting material for coaches competing for the same players as UH that Jay doesn’t need to throw another log on the fire.
It’s bad enough as it is.
The Rainbow Warriors also lost a recruit in an epic battle with … drumroll please … Montana State. As always, but especially with this example, draw your own conclusions.
Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. Read his blog at staradvertiser.com/quickreads.