---=Schools concerned about Nike's involvement with Stoudemire=---

  Representatives from some schools whose programs are contracted to wear Nike apparel expressed concern to the company about the role of consultant George Raveling in the burgeoning Amare Stoudemire scandal. 

  Raveling admitted giving Stoudemire's mother $100 when she was in jail last summer. Last month, Stoudemire -- the top prep frontcourt prospect -- made a late switch from a plan to attend the adidas ABCD Camp and competed at the Nike All-American Camp. 

  "That did not look good for Nike and the people that are wearing Nike sneakers," one coach said. "Was Amare Stoudemire worth all the headaches, and he's not even going to sell a shoe?" 

  Nike said it had taken no action against Raveling and considered the matter closed. There have been other embarrassments for Nike since Raveling began working with its grassroots program, notably the company's involvement with former club coach Myron Piggie. His actions caused NCAA eligibility problems for former UCLA shooting guard JaRon Rush, Missouri and small forward Kareem Rush, among others. 

MAJERUS FEELING FINE 

  Utah coach Rick Majerus spent a day at the Adidas Big Time tournament in Las Vegas scouting prospects and said he is feeling fine as he recovers from knee surgery. The Utes are looking for some guard help and a big player who'll need to replace Chris Burgess. 

A NEWLY LOYAL AGGIE 

  Wing Antoine Wright became a highly coveted college prospect by adding improved ballhandling to his superior shooting skill. But he didn't lose his sense of loyalty as he developed, which helped Texas A&M to secure an early commitment from the 6-7 senior at Lawrence Academy in Massachusetts. Coach Melvin Watkins was the first coach to recruit Wright, and that worked in the Aggies' favor even as Arizona and North Carolina tried to join Virginia and A&M in the pursuit. 

RAINBOW NOT AS BRIGHT 

  Hawaii coach Riley Wallace is confident his team, which had three foreign-born players among its top five scorers last season, will not be decimated by the NCAA's closer examination of their records as European club players. Of particular concern is the status of 6-6 shooting guard Predrag Savovic, who averaged 17.6 points last season. 

  Wallace says Savovic never signed a contract, had no agent and was not paid because he wanted to remain NCAA eligible, but Savovic had no idea whether his teammates were professional. Competing with pros compensated for their play is considered against NCAA Rules. 

VISITING EUROPE A LITTLE LIGHT 

  Ohio State will leave Aug. 20 for a trip to Italy and France. But NCAA rules prevent the Buckeyes from taking along their three key freshmen (point guard Brandon Fuss-Cheatham, small forward Matt Sylvester and power forward Terence Dials), and the impending arrival of a child will keep home assistant Paul Biancardi. A proud Italian, Biancardi has never been to the home of his ancestors, but he's excited about the baby's arrival. 

HE'S GOT SOME UPS 

  With all the gifted point guards in the prep senior class, it didn't seem there was room for one more elite prospect. But 5-11 Bryan Hopkins of Lincoln High in Dallas is advancing from athletic novelty -- how many sub-six-footers dunk alley-oops? -- to skilled playmaker. Texas is interested in pairing him with incoming freshman T.J. Ford, and Purdue and Iowa State also like Hopkins. He tells coaches he is wide open to recruiting interest from others. 
Senior writer Mike DeCourcy covers college basketball for The Sporting News.