At least 3 visiting
Three known basketball recruits are taking official visits to the University of Hawaii campus this weekend, in what could be a pivotal time in shaping next year’s team.
The prospective Rainbow Warriors flying in are ex-Texas Tech small forward Cameron Forte, Pasadena (Calif.) High senior swingman Blake Hamilton, and Indian Hills Community College sophomore guard Brandon Spearman.
A fourth player, Bishop Alemany (Calif.) high senior point guard Max Guercy, was originally slated for an official visit this weekend as well but is no longer, according to messages on his Twitter account.
It appears by targeting Forte (6-7) and Hamilton (6-5), UH is looking to get considerably more dynamic at the swingman spot — an element missing over the last couple of years. Forte is unproven at the college level, but still has four years of eligibility and could provide an immediate scoring punch (he averaged 30-plus points as a high school senior at McClintock high in Tempe, Ariz.). Hamilton is lean but could provide that lanky athletic presence UH missed out on last season in Dillon Biggs.
The 6-3 Spearman has a solid build and could bolster what UH lost in the backcourt.
That’s three that are known — there might be more, and others on future weekends. UH coach Gib Arnold has been in Europe since the Big West Conference meetings last week, and is expected to be back in time to show the recruits around this weekend.
Will provide updates on the recruits when I can.
It was reported that Max Guercy is no longer being recruited by Hawaii. Is Forte eligible to play right away?
I would think he would have sit out a year ,wouldnt that be accurate Brian?
Mahalo, good job.
just saw FOUR recruits on campus. guessing one guy was a ‘host’ or it could have been FIVE. stood out like sore thumbs. you can’t miss guys that tall/lanky!!
Brian – Thanks for good early word on Brandon Spearman committing … Welcome, Brandon!
VALID Question…. One of the coaches confirmed that sitting out a freshman year (like Forte @ Texas Tech) still requires sitting out another year after transfer — so bottom line, he would now have three more years to play (after this coming season…he would learn and help a lot on that scout team…)
99% sure on a second visitor signing (by tomorrow ?)
Third still wants to look elsewhere (at his own risk that later there would be no UH scholarship(s) available…)
When does Gib announce the signing of players from the schools that he recruited from last year? You know, the schools he said he made “significant relationships” with, even though the players he recruited were academically deficient? No one from those schools? I thought he said all that effort was going to payoff in the future. Hmmm…
Yes, after learning more of the particulars of Forte’s enrollment at Tech, he will have to sit out a year at any D-I school he transfers to.
Forte is no longer in the mix with UH, however.
Hey MWP (Alan),
You’re welcome, just my job. Yes, Forte will have to sit out wherever he ends up, since he was enrolled at classes there. No other imminent signings expected from the group that visited over this past weekend.
Great Update — Glad the NCAA was smart enough to Add The ability for visiting recruits to work out with the prospective team — should help in balancing both recruit’s and team / coaches perceptions. Prospecitive recruits only have two to four years & as we’ve seen it’s costly (time & effort) & maybe painful when it ends up not working out…
I like that the program is at the point (credit to the coach & staff) where it appears WE have choices (from several good options) and that we “can afford” to be very picky (not so desperate just to get players) and every team member present has a direct hand in evaluating & building their team…and yes I was concerned (but not anymore) ’bout how well we could utilize these last few (due to the efforts of all with the program, even those relinquishing, they’re becoming more valuable than ever).