Garrett Nevels commits Q&A
The second Hawaii spring commitment was confirmed late Tuesday night from Mount San Antonio College guard Garrett Nevels.
It came down to UH and Morehead State. He said he intends to send in his LOI paperwork at a joint ceremony with Corey Allen (also recruited by UH, but he committed to South Florida) in a Friday ceremony at Mt. SAC.
Here’s what Nevels had to say on the matter in some Q&A:
Q: When did you know your decision?
A: I would say yesterday (Tuesday) or Monday, kind of. I just kept thinking it over and made the final decision yesterday.
Q: How was your Morehead State visit and what did the comparisons come down to?
A: I had a great trip down there. But at Hawaii I just felt more comfortable. I loved the arena, 10,000 people, you can’t beat that. Coach Arnold, he’s been the only coach to come down to L.A. consistently and see me consistently. It was my decision and that’s what I wanted.
Q: How would you sum up your last two years in junior college, now looking ahead to Division I basketball?
A: These last two years I’ve just grown as a player. I’m not the same player or person I was. I just want to put in the work to put Hawaii in a chance to win the conference and then go to the NCAA Tournament.
Q: Being from Los Angeles and playing JUCO ball in California, how do you think you’ll like it in the Big West?
A: It’s going to be fun to play in the Big West. I know players in there, and all my family’s going to come to the games. It should be a good experience.
Q: How familiar are you with your new Hawaii teammates?
A: I don’t know them that well yet, but when I was out there, all of them were pretty cool people. So we should get along fine.
Q: How would you describe your playing style at guard?
A: First of all, I play the wing. I also bring scoring and defense. Just trying to win games at the end of the day.
Q: Are you comfortable playing the point if necessary?
A: Oh yeah, I could grow into that. That’s one thing I really want to work on over the summer.
Q: Your percentages in junior college (57 percent from the field, 81 percent at the line, 47 percent on 3s) are pretty impressive. How did you attain those numbers?
A: I always try to be efficient when I’m shooting. So I mean, it was just hard work paying off and trying to make good decisions.
Q: Do you know what your plans are this summer? You coming out early for summer school second session?
A: Oh yeah, I’m going to get out there by then.
Q: Are you planning to play in the summer league?
A: I’m not sure, I haven’t heard anything about it.
Q: Besides your comfort with the UH coaching staff, any other factors that led to Hawaii for you?
A: Just the opportunity that’s there for me. You were even interviewing me before I decided to go there. It was a no-brainer.
Q: Coming out of Palisades High, what were your options?
A: I wanted to go Division I, but I wasn’t the same player I am now. Doors weren’t open for me.
Q: What are the biggest strides you feel you’ve made since then?
A: Just becoming bigger, faster, stronger. A better ball-handler. Just all-around.
Q: You planning to send in your paperwork to UH today?
A: I want to sign the papers on Friday. Me and Corey (Allen) are supposed to sign together.
Q: On Corey going to South Florida, were you hoping you guys would end up playing together?
A: I mean, I want him to make the best decision for himself. We had a great two years here, and we’re both on a different journey right now.”
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Today (Wednesday) is the first day of the spring signing period. Missouri transfer Negus Webster-Chan said he’d send in his LOI paperwork as soon as he receives it from UH.
Rainbow Wahine coach Laura Beeman said there were no signings for her team today but there are recruits in the works.
What? Coach still hasn’t given Negus the LOI to sign and fax in?
Pocho:
No worry, Negus Webster-Chan, surfed Waikiki, he actually stood on the board, he has Hawaii written all over him. Has to get his guardian/parents to sign consent LOI with him, then fax to UH. UH cannot annouce official word until they get LOI’s from Chan, Nevels, Smith?, etc.
Negus made no other visits. It would shock me if he changed his mind. Oh yeah pocho, the dreaded, finish academics and accepted to UH,, we wait and see?!!
Pretty soon announce about new recruits LOI’s!!
Pocho:
My BIG MISTAKE, Negus already signed LOI when recruited to Missouri, so his paper work is as a DI transfer, and scholarship agreement. APOLOGIES, I got confused, I thought he was a NEW freshman! HE IS A DI Transfer, having to RS and sit out 1 calendar year!!
My BAD!!
pocho:
Maybe Brian Mcinnis, who asks the great questions can clear up for us.
Brian, DI transfers, do they sign scholarship agreements? Possible, that Negus, might be preferred walkon too, Sit out one year and then be offered scholarship?
Mahalo Brian!
Why would anybody transferring from a Division I program to another DI program accept a walk-on. It doesn’t make sense. I don’t think Rozitis, Standhardinger, or Shamburger were walk-ons at UH when they transferred here. If I was the player I certainly wouldn’t come over and be a walk-on. No way Jose. It cost $23,000 a year for UH tuition for out of state residents. And that’s not including room and board and books and fees. That’s a lot of mula. State residents pay $9,100 per year in tuition by comparison. Webster-Chan is a scholarship player, no question. And I am shocked to hear that Aaron Valdes is possibly a walk-on as some people has said. From what I see, Valdes is arguably the most athletic player on the roster and from what I read some time ago, he is a terrific defensive player, a quick jumper, a great dunker too. If anything, he should be on scholarship and he should be upset that he is not. The coaches have seen him play in practice the entire season so they know of his abilities. If he already is on scholarship then this is a moot point.
Often the paperwork doesn’t go through instantaneously. It traditionally has to be faxed around. The past years have seen UH usually announce guys in the days after the initial “signing day,” so I wouldn’t be concerned if it takes a few days.
yes! one down! how many more to go?
Welcome to Warriors Webster-Chan & Nevels!!!
Shamburger better stay healthy… No back up PG so far.
Is Quincy Smith still due to come in? If he is, the scholarship drama starts up again. LOL
pocho: I believe, and hopefully Brian Mcinnis can check for us for sure.
The scholarlships available going into 2013-14 after end of this season.
AV was not on Scholie last year. Walkon. =1
Manroop and Ozi left in good academic standing=2
Doing the math, as of April 17 2013, there are 3 scholarships to offer.
Negus Webster-Chan will take one. Garrett Nevels will take another=2
1 more to give.
If Quincy Smith or another incoming Big recruit takes the 3rd one, total=3
3 to offer and finally 3 given out.
Variables, if like Brian mentioned, Valdes had a great, audition as it were, just tearing it up athletically in RS practices on scout, Maybe Gib offers Valdes that 3rd scholie. Have to wait and see what Gib does.
Another scenario, if Davis Rozitis, grads and moves on to Post UH Career, that becomes another scholie available!
Ideally , I would like to see, Nevels, Chan, and Valdes be awarded scholies, and if Davis Rozitis moves on, Quincy Smith gets that extra scholarship.
Depends on Gib, how he will allot the 3 available scholarships, two already taken by Nevels and Webster-Chan. The vacated one, Does Valdes or Smith on another athlete get that one?
Or if Davis moves on, who gets that possible extra scholie. As long as Davis graduates and had good GPA, and chooses not to return for senior year, APR should be good.
We wait and see.
Brian Mcinnis, great questions and answers for us. Possibly 1 or 2 more scholies to give, let us know who gets them.
Mahalo!!
Mr. Webster-Chan and Mr. Nevels, if possible please attend UH summer school. We’d like to see you at the Manoa bb Summer League
Brian, do you happen to know the fate of WBB assistant Linnae Barber? Where has she gone? Why was a change made?