Recker Transferring To Iowa

Luke Recker, whose transfer from Indiana to Arizona was marked by an automobile accident last summer, said Monday he will leave the Wildcats to play for Iowa.

In a statement released through the athletic department, Recker confirmed reports that he will leave Tucson after this semester for Iowa City, Iowa, which is closer to his girlfriend, Kelly Craig, who is hospitalized in Chicago.

"I have been contemplating this decision since my arrival in Tucson," Recker said. "This decision is based solely on personal reasons. I have been nothing but extremely impressed with coach (Lute) Olson and the Arizona program and will miss them greatly. But being close to my loved ones has become a priority at this time."

Craig was partially paralyzed by a spinal cord injury when a truck crossed the center line of a highway near Durango, Colo., on July 10 and rammed the car in which she and Recker were riding. The driver of the car they were riding was killed.

After the accident, Recker considered not completing the transfer despite his stormy relationship with Indiana coach Bobby Knight. He decided to go through with it because of the rapport Olson has with his players.

But Clair Recker said his son's anticipation of a career in the southwest was tainted by memories of the accident.

"Luke was just having a hard time being away," Recker said. "Things were not the same for him any more. Things changed too dramatically. If the accident had not happened, this would not be an event."

Recker is out for this season because of his first transfer, and under NCAA rules will have to sit out the first semester at Iowa. But the 6-foot-6 swingman should be able to play for the Hawkeyes in January 2001, plus a full senior season in 2001-2002.

Olson was traveling to the Great Eight tournament in Chicago on Monday and could not be reached for comment by The Associated Press.

Iowa coach Steve Alford said he had not been in contact with Recker.

"There's nothing to talk about," said the first-year coach, a guard on Indiana>'s 1987 national championship team. "Obviously, we don't talk about other players. I don't think that's ethically right."

Recker had appeared upbeat in recent weeks as he recovered from his injuries. He recently was cleared to go 100 percent in practice after recovering from a fracture dislocation of a bone in his left hand and a cut near his left ear that required 200 stitches.

He would be the second Arizona player to leave the program since practice began this season. Guard Ruben Douglas announced he was leaving last month.

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