Jankovic commits to transfer to Hawai’i
Despite a long Christmas wish list of schools, Stefan Jankovic needed all of 24 hours to decide that Hawai’i was the place for him.
Jankovic, a 6-foot-11 forward who started this season at the University of Missouri, said today that he is committed to transferring to UH. He made an official visit to UH on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and then said he wanted to take some time to look at other schools before deciding.
“I got home on Friday and wanted to think about everything, then I woke up (Saturday) morning and talked to my parents and realized Hawai’i was going to be the best place,” he said. “I had other schools in mind, but then I thought ‘why even bother if I know Hawai’i is the one.’ ”
Jankovic was a highly-recruited prospect out of national power Huntington Prep in West Virginia, but his playing time was limited at Missouri. This season, he appeared in just three games – including a minute of action in the Tigers’ win over Hawai’i – and averaged 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.
“It wasn’t a good fit for me (at Missouri) so I want to come in and play right away, use my versatility,” Jankovic said. “Honolulu is obviously a beautiful city and some of you guys know that Negus (Webster-Chan) is my close friend, so all of those things helped me with this decision.”
Webster-Chan transferred to Hawai’i from Missouri last summer, and he is currently sitting out this season as a redshirt. Jankovic and Webster-Chan are both from Canada, both played at Huntington Prep, and both signed with Missouri in 2012.
“We talk at least once a week,” Jankovic said. “When I told him I was thinking about leaving Missouri, the first thing he said was to look at Hawai’i because he really liked it out there. I didn’t think much of it, but once I started to look more into it, I saw it might be a good place for me.”
Jankovic said he can play both forward positions, and even center, if needed. He said he has been watching recent Hawai’i games, and hopes he can fill the role currently played by senior Christian Standhardinger.
“I feel like I can guard the 3, 4 and the 5 positions,” Jankovic said. “Defensively, I feel like I can rebound and block shots. I feel like I have good enough length to guard. Offensively, I’m kind of known as a shooter, but I feel like I can do a lot of different things. I see what the coaches are doing over there with Christian, and I feel like I can come in after he leaves and play his role. I love the way he plays – both him and Fotu. I like how they can post up, or step out and shoot, or take their man off the dribble.”
Jankovic said he will enroll in classes at UH in January, and will have to sit out two semesters as a redshirt, per NCAA transfer rules. He could become eligible by Decemeber of 2014. His class status (sophomore or junior) for next season is yet to be determined because he may try to petition for this current season as a redshirt.
Jankovic was born in Belgrade, Serbia, but moved with his family to Toronto, Canada, when he was a child.
Wow!! That was fast…he must be a fit..hopefully high character. ..be willing to play defense Stefan!! Eagle another. out of HS 3 Star athlete..now if Gib can get a shot blocker athletic. Big from Senegal. .say about 7 foot tall..Gib has makings of good teams for several. Years!!
Go Bows!!
😀
Welcome aboard Jankovic. I briefly met on campus a couple of days ago when we toured the facility. Looking forward to watch you next year.
Stefan, welcome to the ohana! It will be great to have you and Negus on the court for UH next season.
we need to start adding better teams to our schedule so gib can secretly recruit them lol…..if good as advertised, couldn’t imagine a 6’11 deadly 3-point shooter with athleticism….I still think we need a guy that can come off the bench with energy and block shots
hawaiifan09:
I hope too Gib not finish recruiting yet..still has at least one more scholie to offer…search for that athletic shot blocking big..Hawaii is becoming the MBB program to be with if you want to uptempo on O and D..plus be in a beautiful One Ohana family.. agreed ..when UH starts winning championship s and invited to NIT,.NCAA’s..upgrade schedule. .and potential D 1 transfers!!
Go Bows!!
😀
For me, I would take another player like Webster-Chan, 6’6″ or 6’7″ who can handle the ball, score inside and outside, guard 3 positions, and very athletic. Versatility is key.
Yes.Stefan can take place of Christian. ..Fleming replace Spearman..just guess Gib try to. get athletic big. play 4/5 spot replace Davis..or if that athletic high flying big not available. .Gib goes after that athletic SF…Best hoopster he can get..pretty exciting stuff and we still have the DHC to look foward to!!
Go Bows!!
😀
Derek, NWC was a top 50 recruit coming out of high school.
ANYONE would take someone with his ability. we arent going to get one though because players like him are VERY rare. that’s why it was such a huge deal getting him.
xer 21..
.believe Stefan Jankovic might be eligible Dec 2014, played Fall semester, the 1/2 season, of this year 2013 for Missouri,then notified,the Tigers, he would transfer..after Nov 22 2013…so..one year from now. If he enrolls in UH spring semester 2014 and fall 2014. As WI writeup stated, he is going to petition for RS year, this year, so see if he can come in as a sophomore..or junior, have to wait and see.. Would be a great addition to frontcourt, at that time. Still have to wait another year, however, we shall see. He will eventually be playing with Negus, his buddy! Read on his post, Stefan was a 3 star recruit out of HS, Huntington Prep. He played for several schools from freshman to Prep school.
As others have stated on this forum, wonder if Gib looking for shot blocking big, and the best athlete available, since UH searches globally. Has to be, as hoopsa, and others stated, on several blogs, and forums, a High Character, and Right Fit, guy. Definitely, the transfers from D1 schools, including, Dayton freshman to Jr College to UH transfer Spearman, Shamburger, Standhardinger, Webster-Chan, Rozitis, and now Jankovic, really skilled athletes, that are helping UH to be much more competitive and exciting. Hey, if I have work off, going to check out at least One game of DHC with the Rainbow Warriors. If you all can go, nice if even 5000+ during holiday time, come out. Great DHC field, UH could win it, or at least try to go 2-1, as others stated as well.
YEAH BABY !!!!!
Those two JC California guards, are great for Hawaii this year. Shamburger , Nevels and Smith, a lot of times either all three, or at least two of them are playing at any point in the game. That is why, they are closing out games, when things get close. What a difference a year makes. We lost Jefferson, Clair, Tavita, now gained Shamuburger, Nevels and Smith. Really good guard play, can help UH win, and also, have chance on the road.
Yes! Welcome to UH, Stefan!
Absolutely huge! Does this mean that he can play in the Diamond Head classic next year. WOW, thank you Santa!!!
THERE IS that ‘Christian’ Role for someone like Stefan to step into…
and As the Roles on this Fast-Paced, Exciting, FUN Team get Clearer
WE Might stop being surprised How Much Good, even Great Players want to Play in This System,
and Be Part of This ‘Ohana…
A Great Place to Build A Great Program
MAHALO Gib & Coaches, Staff
Welcome, Stefan
It ‘Feels’ like we just ‘RE-Signed’ Christian for Another Two or Three Years,
Then He Suddenly ‘Grew’ Another Three Inches Taller…
BUT While that might not be ‘Fair’ to either of them.
They ARE, by Association and Comparison
In Very Good Company
What? WOW! Boom Again!
The broadcast crew will have their hands full if both Stefans become primary rotation guys.