Jankovic: I’m ‘A-OK’
Hawaii appears to have dodged a bullet just before the opening gun of the 2015-16 season.
Forward Stefan Jankovic appeared to hurt his left ankle pretty badly early on during Tuesday’s practice at the Stan Sheriff Center.
But Jankovic was walking without assistance on Wednesday, and got some shots up before and after practice. He was held out of the up-and-down, physical portion of practice.
“I’m A-OK,” he said at practice. He also tweeted, “I’m playing 100%”.
You can bet the forward/center will be on the floor for Friday’s 7:30 p.m. opener against Montana State in the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic. On the other hand, UH has to play three times in four days, so his minutes could be reduced from what you’d normally expect.
Forward Mike Thomas was a full participant the last couple of days and looks primed to start at power forward. Quincy Smith has continued to play with the first team since the return of Isaac Fleming, who’s worked with the second group. Smith hurt his left wrist/thumb on Monday, but has played with it wrapped.
Jankovic scored 12 points in 14 limited minutes in the exhibition against Chaminade due to foul trouble. It’s obvious the team needs him to be at its best.
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Wednesday was also the start of the early signing period.
Aussie guard Matthew Owies made good on his previous oral commitment for UH’s 2016 class.
Finally signed my NLI to the University of Hawaii Super excited to be apart of such a great program #UH #hardwork pic.twitter.com/Igv8TL8bbI
— Matthew Owies (@mattowies) November 11, 2015
Long Beach Poly guard Drew Buggs is expected to follow suit Thursday, at which point UH will make a formal announcement of the two signings.
Here was Buggs from late September when he made his oral commitment:
I am excited to announce that I will continue my education and basketball career at the University of Hawaii pic.twitter.com/WMTDmcj85N
— Drew Buggs (@_DrizzyDrew_) October 1, 2015
Brian: You make mention in the print edition of SA sports, that Owies signed… Buggs probably today 11/12.. however your header said ” probably TWO more after Owies” ?
So 2 guards, Owies and Buggs.. pretty good young guards.. could it be a 6’8″ big, ?
Your take Brian, should Eran be recruiting, more bigs, that can be that 1 big in, and 4 perimeter, out..
Really ironic, however not. for UH MBB fans of last year team.. ALL of the write-ups and comments from Eran and staff about the 11 returnees, what WE ALL know already, their skills, their strengths and weakenesses.. they are redundant without , or probably WITH knowing it, having all of the video and viewing them in practices..that is the thing that will constantly confound me this season,..Eran and staff, just like THEY are viewing a new team, and identifying, what This team was all about and can be. . however, I really believe, and some, not majority of fans, . now WE KNOW.. even if Gib or Benjy or Eran, or Kyle Smith, Phil Handy were, coach. IT is these guys , these Warriors from past 1 to 4 years.. who make it happen, no matter whom the coach and UH politics.. credit to the team..Much respect for them.. the coach new one.. if UH has success. .. he has to run into Gib or Benjy one day.. and say.. well you left the cupboard with some very good athletes that helped my program, or Hawaii’s program, MBB.. reach the NCAA’s one day
Brian…
Time to update your blogs pictures….Benji and Nevels is the past….Tomorrow is the start of something NEW!
Damn….season starts tomorrow and nothing but crickets in here.
Heart warming story in SA this morning about coach Ganot and his family. Tragic events but Eran and wife stepped up. Poorboy and all the other haters out there with all your talk about “Ohana”, it is time to get off this guy’s back. He loves Hawaii, takes care of others, handles business quietly and without a lot of noise. He and his wife deserve our respect, not our myna bird chirping about the past and how privileged he is. Enough . Throw it up and let’s play some ball. Show the team (including coaches) some aloha and make some noise tonight.