ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 15, 1996 TAG: 9605150078
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
FLORIDA RECRUIT Kris Hunter reportedly is leaning toward Virginia.
Virginia men's basketball coach Jeff Jones can only hope history doesn't repeat itself today.
There were indications Florida big man Kris Hunter was prepared to sign with Virginia on Tuesday before Hunter canceled a news conference at which he was expected to announce his choice of colleges.
The spring signing period ends today, which means Hunter must sign a letter of intent and have it postmarked by midnight for it to be binding. The Cavaliers also are awaiting word from 6-foot-9, 240-pound Craig McAndrew from Dalkeith, Australia.
Jones learned in 1993 that nothing is certain in recruiting until a letter is in the mail. Jones thought he had oral commitments from three big men that year, including spring recruit Jason Lawson, who signed with Villanova after canceling a news conference.
Hunter, a 6-9 post player from Florida A&M High School in Tallahassee, Fla., was thought to be leaning toward Virginia over South Florida before a family meeting Tuesday night. He also took official visits to Auburn, Nebraska and Tennessee, and has been to Florida State unofficially. The Seminoles do not have a scholarship available, however.
Recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons rated Hunter the No.71 prospect in the country before this past season, when Hunter averaged 16.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and nearly eight blocked shots. That moved him up to 36th on Gibbons' final list.
Hunter's most impressive numbers came against Swainsboro (Ga.) High School, when he had 32 points, 22 rebounds and 16 blocks against 6-9 Auburn signee Randy Hughes. Hunter had 38 points, 24 rebounds and 18 blocks in a game during his junior year.
The Cavaliers' pursuit of Hunter intensified after the arrest of 6-10 Melvin Whitaker on March 6. Whitaker had signed with Virginia in November and, after meeting NCAA eligibility guidelines, was working in Charlottesville.
Although Virginia has made no announcement on Whitaker's status, statements by athletic director Terry Holland have left little doubt the former Oak Hill Academy and Hargrave Military Academy star never will play for the Cavaliers. Whitaker faces trial June 26 on a charge of malicious wounding, a felony punishable by mandatory jail time.
``Hunter's got Marcus Camby-like ability,'' said Gibbons, referring to Hunter's versatility. ``I think he's better than Whitaker. He's got a bigger upside.''
A possible holdup in Hunter's signing was confusion over his academic status. He has made the minimum required score on the American College Test (ACT), but his final grades will determine if he qualifies for freshman eligibility under the NCAA's sliding scale.
Sources say Hunter would be willing to attend Fork Union Military Academy if he does not qualify, but UVa found itself having to clarify that arrangement after Hunter spoke with other schools.
South Florida's late surge has coincided with the introduction of Seth Greenberg as its new head coach. Greenberg, previously the coach at Long Beach State, spent a year as an assistant at Virginia in the early 1980s when then-coach Holland hired him after Greenberg had lost his job at Pittsburgh.
LENGTH: Medium: 67 linesby CNB