Jankovic mulls options
If Stefan Jankovic is to be a Hawaii Rainbow Warrior, it will happen in the next handful of days.
Jankovic, the ex-Missouri Tiger forward, said on Friday after returning from his visit to UH that he plans to decide by the end of December (note: corrected from the end of January) so he can get a jump on enrolling at his next Division I destination. He has a list of “1o or 15” other schools he’s considering, he said.
UPDATED: Jankovic has committed to UH as of Saturday afternoon.
Jankovic got to visit the Manoa campus and Honolulu on Wednesday and Thursday. He took in a UH practice and got to hang out some with his former Tigers and Ontario youth basketball teammate Negus Webster-Chan.
“It was like a quick visit, but it was nice. I had fun, enjoyed myself. Saw the facilities, followed practice and whatnot,” Jankovic said.
The 6-11 Jankovic will have two and a half seasons to play once he sits out this spring semester and the 2014 fall semester. So he’ll be a redshirt sophomore by the time he plays in the winter/spring of 2015.
He hadn’t seen Webster-Chan since NWC transferred out from Frank Haith’s program at the end of last season. Webster-Chan figures to be a big reason why UH could land Jankovic.
“It was cool (hanging out) ’cause we were together for a few years, and obviously he transferred out and I hadn’t seen him in a while,” Jankovic said. “Probably half a year since I saw him last, maybe even more. So I was able to see him again, hang out and kind of kick it. It was cool, a good time.”
Jankovic announced he would be transferring out from Mizzou on Nov. 22, about a week after UH’s 92-80 loss to the Tigers in Kansas City. That was Jankovic’s last official action — he played all of 12 seconds in that one.
“I mean, I just kind of, it was time to get out,” he said. “I didn’t really believe in how the coaches were using me and playing me and the minutes I was getting. … I thought I deserved more, I thought I worked for a lot more. It was a bunch of things. The fact I wasn’t getting the minutes I wanted, the minutes I thought I deserved. I wasn’t being used the way I liked, I was kind of just used as a shooter and whatnot. So it was a bunch of things. I played 12 seconds that game (vs. UH). I felt like to kind of continue my basketball career at the next level, wherever that may be, I had to make a move.”
He might not have time to visit any other schools by the time he decides, which works in UH’s favor.
“I mean, I’m still looking at a couple schools,” Jankovic said. “I definitely enjoyed my visit, it was the first school I visited. But we’ll see. I’m kind of looking for, obviously, opportunity to come in and start and play, and be a major player and a big role for the team. That’s definitely one of the big things I’m looking for. And then after that all the other things, the coaching staff, the relationship I have with them. How I get along with them on the visit, see how the coaches are and stuff. You know, just player development and location a little bit too. You know, Hawaii probably beats everyone in that.
“No. 1, most importantly, is playing time. How I’ll be played and how I’ll be used.”
end of December right? Not end of January.
I I I its seems its only about him. We need more team players not I players.
Doesn’t sounded too impressed for him. He wants promised star-status/starter minutes !
Instead all-in; worked-hard to earn respect – Not a good fit type (liked JT) ?
Can Stefan II defend? That rim protecting big? If he was offered official look see visit, UH coaches taking a chance on another Div I transfer, i.e, Shamburger, Standhardinger, Spearman, Rozitis, Webster-Chan, …I know Gib let’s team, the current athletes have input , if Stefan II, will be right fit High Character, this year’s team, extremely, hard working and bought into One Ohana, We shall see, he would have to make decision pretty quickly, by end of December, or before, enrollment for UH Spring Semester.
Still, think Gib is looking for the 6’9″ – 6’11” rim protecting, teeth on the rim, athletic, bigs. We shall see. Stefan, must have been a real find, coming out of HS, and Canada, Virginia prep,.He would have to work hard, in classroom and the court, and fit Hawaii. If he meets those important requirments, and Brian, I think Gib will have him on a quick decision time table, .we shall see, if , THE FIT, welcome aboard Stefan II, if not,,…next…
He must have game, replace Rozitis, if Stefan can play agile D like Davis, and score, like Christian, Vander, Fotu, welcome aboard. Plus, he having 2 1/2 years to play, immediate help at the 4/5 spot. Wait and see, would be a nice surprise signing for Gib. Still think he goes after a couple of athletic Bigs as well for Spring 2014 signings!
Unless, Brian, Stefan Jankovic, replacement for Davis, and a recovering from back surgery Dressler? A guy that has some DI experience, looks like he can shoot, and jump, if he can play D like Rozitis, plus have the offensive game, uptempo, good find!
Yes Pocho, thanks for catching. End of December.
Brian, we shall see if he is tripping, or sticking (with UH MBB!!). Nice visit, get to come to Hawaii. Stefan Jankovic, and Stefan Jovanovich, the Super Serbians!
Well, he was a 3 star athlete out of HS, so that is an immediate, impact, possibly guy as freshman. Mike Thomas, 3 star, Isaac Fleming 3 star, boy, Gib is lining up some guys , potential recruits with talent. Hope they Fit!
not impressed with his stats, so don’t know if the guy can play. true, not much playing time, but talent usually earns you time. wants a lot of playing time and don’t know if that will happen in Gib’s scheme. i would pass and look for a bigger, better defender in the paint.
Saw Scott Fisher with a tall kid tonight at the Iolani Classic. A couple inches taller than Coach Fisher so might be in the 6’9″ range. Possible Aussie guy. Looked like a small Aussie flag on his clothes. Iolani Classic talent level way down from previous years. But last year was pretty special with a ton of talented bigs and points. Not so much this year.
Stefan Got to Understand he has to Battle for Minutes; since his skill level is good, got to conclude he knows how to work hard; If Off, Negus & Coaches gotta set him straight; Coaches WANT players who want to Excel and willing to (and already have) Worked Hard to get there … Pretty Sure Negus wants him here, too, and knows a great work ethic and skills…he sounds potentially vulnerable to (another) coach/recruiter ‘guaranteeing’ Star Status — some weaker recruiter(s) (and sales people) give in to saying what prospect wants to hear, then pay for it later in weaker work ethic and team dissension/sulking(?)…
Get On Board, Sir Jankovic!
NOT Gonna Find better teammates…
Not sure about Jankovic’s attitude. UH has great chemistry this season. The players are hard workers who put the team’s success ahead of their own. It would be great to have Jankovic with his size and talent at UH, but only if he’s going to be a team player first.
Inferior competition in the elemntary stages, plus improper skill coaching (or refusal of)…
Formed his ‘superiorcomplex’ which will impedes him on the next level, even given the chance.
IMO the Ohana alreadied chalked it as another ‘tripper’ loss just liked the blown-knee guy!
Wonder who will be the sufferer of that kind of eccentricity?
FYI: Wahine 1st half score leading 33-23 at USC. Hope for another good finish 2nd half.
The game can be watch on: pac-12.com/videos/unoversitysoutherncalifornia (as provided by
BM. Mahalo).
Well, may be better luck next time with Grand Canyon.
They lost this one with 55-66. Outscored 43-22 in 2nd half.
Dang…that was fast!! He likes Hawaii and wants to fill Christian’ s rolr..as long as play D..he is a 3 star out of HS. By next. year UH gonna be burning up the BWC!! Gib gotta get another athletic. shot blocker..and athletic SF shooter..man what a end of year gift for UH MBB!!
Nice Christmas present!
atta way Gib
Stefans…Michaels..wow.,UH getting good athletes and hopefully Stefan II is One Ohana guy.if so..UH will be awesome!!!
Im a huge Mizzou fan so I have seen him play many times. He isnt your typical physical rim protecting big man. Believe it or not he plays more like a 3 then anything. He has unlimited range and is also very athletic for his size. Although i agree that he doesnt come off very well in this interview i think he makes a good point. Im not sure the Mizzou coaches knew how to use him. I think he deserved more playing time based off of talent and the fact that he can really shoot the 3 ball. The problem is Mizzou already has 3 main scoring options and they need traditional rebounding big man this year to be successful. I think with another year of hitting the gym/mostly weights he could be a special player