LIHU‘E — The University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warrior basketball team begins a new era when it tips off the 2010-11 campaign with the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic, today, Saturday and Monday at the Stan Sheriff Center. New head coach Gib
LIHU‘E — The University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warrior basketball team begins a new era when it tips off the 2010-11 campaign with the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic, today, Saturday and Monday at the Stan Sheriff Center.
New head coach Gib Arnold leads the Rainbow Warriors into battle as they host Cal State Fullerton, Central Michigan and Montana State in the 47th edition of the tournament.
Fans got their first look at Arnold and this year’s squad during an impressive 83-55 win over Chaminade on Saturday. Now the regular season begins with the round-robin Rainbow Classic.
The tournament begins today as Hawai‘i squares off against Montana State at 7 p.m., followed by Cal State Fullerton vs. Central Michigan at 9:30 p.m.
The tournament concludes on Monday with a nationally televised game between UH and Central Michigan as part of ESPN’s College Hoops Tip-off Marathon. It will be a UH “Blackout” as all fans are encouraged to wear black at the 11 p.m. tipoff.
Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic Schedule
Friday
Hawai‘i vs Montana State, 7 p.m.
Cal State Fullerton vs. Central Michigan, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday
Hawai‘i vs. Cal State Fullerton, 7 p.m.
Central Michigan vs. Montana State, 9:30 p.m.
Monday
Cal State Fullerton vs. Montana State, 5 p.m.
Hawai‘i vs. Central Michigan, 11:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Arnold adds California recruit
Arnold also announced the signing of Ronnie Stevens to a national letter of intent during the early signing period, Thursday.
Stevens will enroll at UH next fall and will have four years of eligibility, according to a press release from the UH athletic department.
Stevens, a 6-foot-8 forward, comes to UH with a winning background. He was a key member of a Serra High School team that accumulated a 35-2 record en route to a California state championship.
Stevens averaged 12.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.9 blocks as a junior last season.
An imposing physical specimen with a long wing span, Stevens is regarded as a ferocious rebounder and one of the top shot blockers in the state.
The website calihighsports.com ranks him as the No. 13 prep player in the state of California.
“What I like most about Ronnie is he is a winner,” Arnold said. “He comes from a great Serra High basketball program in Los Angeles and knows what it takes to win championships. He comes from a great family and we’re thrilled that he is now part of the Hawai‘i basketball ‘ohana.”
The native of Gardena, Calif., turned heads in the AAU circuit this summer, including a 25-point, 16-rebound and six assist effort in Belmont Shore’s final game of the Duel in the Desert Tournament.
Stevens chose to sign with UH after receiving extensive recruiting interest from the likes of Colorado, Marquette, Nevada, New Mexico State, Oregon, San Diego State TCU, Utah, Virginia Tech and Washington State.
