Aussie forward Hulland commits

Owen Hulland, a 6-foot-11 power forward at Australia’s Centre of Excellence, is the first player to give a verbal commitment to join Hawaii’s 2018 recruiting class.

He informed the Honolulu Star-Advertiser of his decision on Wednesday (Thursday in Australia).

The towering Hulland, of Adelaide, is a little bigger than your prototypical “stretch 4,” but possesses the same shooting ability to go with rebounding and shot-blocking prowess. He’s slated to join Jack Purchase and Mate Colina — the latter is his current teammate at the CoE in Canberra — as Australian big men on the Rainbow Warriors’ roster next season.

Hulland took an official visit to UH early this month. Saint Mary’s is said to also have been in the running for his services. He represents the first of two scholarships UH has to offer for 2018-19; he can sign in the early period starting Nov. 8 through the 15th.

“When I was on my visit, I felt really comfortable with the coaches and the team there, that ultimately helped me make the decision that it was the right place for me,” Hulland said in a message.

(Colina is also expected to sign during the early period and is slated to join UH at the 2017-18 semester break.)

Here’s a couple of shots of Hulland on Twitter:

Owen going to work earlier today pic.twitter.com/lijvSkks61

— Simon hulland (@Simonhulland1) July 22, 2016

Owen Hulland #AUSCHAMPS pic.twitter.com/VKlUrKHO4s

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— Simon hulland (@Simonhulland1) February 18, 2017

According to Australiabasket.com, Hulland averaged 6.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game in 2017 for the CoE. He shot 60.6 percent on 2-pointers and 45.3 percent overall.

Hulland has also played for South Australia in the country’s U20 championships.

“I’m a great teammate who pushed the people around him to get better,” Hulland said. “I think I would fit well into (the) UH system because it is very similar to the one I play in now.”

Of the 6-foot-10 center Colina, he said: “Well me and Mate are really good mates, I really enjoy playing with him and I think we could really do something special over there. Him commuting to Hawaii before I chose to commit didn’t affect my decision, I thought it was a great programme already, and I guess having Mate over there with me is just a bonus.”

Here’s a couple of YouTube clips of Hulland: