THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 16, 1996 TAG: 9605160548
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
University of Virginia coach Jeff Jones accomplished his prime objective on the final day of the spring basketball recruiting period Wednesday by signing 6-foot-10 Kris Hunter of Tallahassee, Fla.
Hunter selected the Cavaliers over Auburn, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida State, South Florida and Nebraska.
``I think he has a tremendous amount of potential,'' Jones said. ``He is very athletic for a big man. He runs the court extremely well, has the ability to finish around the basket and has excellent shot-blocking skills.''
The signing of a big man became Jones' main goal after Melvin Whitaker, a 6-foot-10 recruit, was charged with malicious wounding last March.
Virginia has not released him from his commitment, but is expected to withdraw the scholarship if he is convicted in a trial next month.
The lack of a strong, athletic center was a chief weakness this past season for the Cavaliers, who finished 12-15.
Jones did not begin recruiting Hunter until after Whitaker was charged with using a razor to attack Virginia football player Maurice Anderson after a pick-up game in Charlottesville.
Hunter also drew considerable attention from other major schools after averaging 15.4 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.1 blocks at FAMU High School.
Hunter is Virginia's only announced signee of the spring period. During the early period last November, U.Va. got commitments from 6-5 guard Willie Dersch of Flushing, N.Y., and 6-8 forward Colin Ducharme of Richmond. by CNB