Plaques up
All three additions to the University of Hawaii Sports Circle of Honor for 2016 have a strong connection with UH basketball.
Jim Leahey was the voice of Rainbow Warrior hoops for decades, and still calls Rainbow Wahine games for OC Sports.
Anthony “Tony” Davis, also known as “Bones,” set the UH single-game scoring record of 45 points against Cal State Los Angeles in 1959. He was the program’s first NBA draftee.
And Riley Wallace needs no explanation … but for a quick refresher, he’s the program’s wins leader at 334 and was renowned for tossing his sport coat on the court.
They will be inducted at halftime of Saturday’s senior night against Cal State Fullerton.
Past UH basketball inductees include The Fabulous Five, Tom Henderson, Red Rocha and Anthony Carter.
The 2016 plaques were recently added to the dozens of others in the Stan Sheriff Center inner concourse. They aren’t adjacent, so you’ll have to do a little wandering if you want to find each of them.
For your convenience, I did the walking at team practice Wednesday. Here they are:
Fractured my ankle a week ago so unable to be there for the game. Was really looking forward to reception for Riley. Took my kids to see Bows when he was coach and used him as an example for them. They still remember the lessons of hard work,effort, and believing in yourself. Wish I could be there. Mahalo Coach!
I was quietly hoping that Riley Wallace would pull a Mike Love at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and call people out(although these people are long-gone).
I don’t think Coach Wallace was ready to leave.
I still feel a little bitter.
I was a big fan.
And he didn’t put us on probation.
If Romain Sato doesn’t hit that trey to close Xavier’s deficit to seven going into the half, I think Hawaii wins that game in 2000-2001.
I went to school that day.
British Literature.
Some jerk told the class the score.
I thought I knew my UH basketball history.
I wasn’t born yet, but I don’t use that as an excuse.
Like Dan Patrick once said on his radio show, in regard to his meetings with millenials: “Read a book!”
Isn’t it kind of embarrassing that our first scholarship African-American player came in 1959? Kind of late.
Who are we: the Boston Red Sox?