June 19, 2003

Men’s Basketball Adds McCook Star

Top JUCO Player

            Kearney, NE – Nebraska-Kearney head men’s basketball coach Tom Kropp announced today that Will Taukiuvea, from McCook Community College, will transfer to UNK and have two years of eligibility remaining.

            Earlier this year, Jordan Farmer (Bellevue West), Cameron Lollar (Northeast C.C./Omaha Benson) and Dusty Jura (Northern Iowa/Columbus Lakeview) signed with UNK.

            A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, the 6-3 Taukiuvea is capable of playing both guard spots as well as small forward. Named honorary captain of the Omaha World Herald’s All-Nebraska Junior College team this year, Taukiuvea averaged 17.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Indians. He helped McCook post a 16-15 record under first year head coach Ty Orton.

            As a freshman, Taukiuvea averaged 13.8 points per game on a team that went 22-10 and won the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference title.

            UNK went 30-3 last winter, winning its second RMAC title and advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time.