Fotu already prepared to ‘go and get ’em’

Until Friday night Isaac Fotu had never heard of Melton Werts.

But that’s OK, they will have plenty of time to get acquainted over the next four seasons while Fotu pursues one of the University of Hawaii’s most enduring and heretofore unreachable basketball records, Werts’ 36-year-old career mark for rebounds.

That might be a lot to expect from a freshman, but, by virtue of his eye-opening performance, Fotu stamped himself as no average first-year player, either.

Fotu was the most impressive figure to emerge from the Rainbow Warriors’ 76-64 season-opening victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Friday, which is saying something on a night when Christian Standhardinger scored 27 points and Hauns Brereton put up 24 more in the first night of the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic. UH plays Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday, the event’s second night.

Fotu managed but four points in his 29-minute ‘Bows debut, but the climb to a game-high 15 rebounds resonated with the Stan Sheriff Center crowd of nearly 4,000, who quickly warmed up to the springy 6-feet, 8-inch 240-pounder from Auckland, New Zealand.

Almost as quickly as the student section, where "Fear the Fro" signs sprouted in honor of his bushy hair, a throwback to the days (1972-’76) when Werts thrived in the then-Honolulu International Center (now Blaisdell) for the ‘Bows.

Considering that last season’s high rebound total was 17 by Vander Joaquim, you get an idea of the kind of emergence Fotu made on opening night. No beginner’s opening night luck here, either. Fotu ranged far and wide for his rebounds. He worked for the caroms he got displaying an instinct and ferocity that belied his years.

Remarkably, he also flashed a deft touch and accuracy with his outlet passes, the kind you wish some of the UH guards possessed.

"He can go and get ’em," coach Gib Arnold said. "I tell him to be a selfish rebounder, totally selfish."

But if Fotu’s rebounding is already polished, his offensive game requires some work.

"I was a little nervous," an obviously hesitant Fotu said. "It was my first game in front of this many people, but I’ll be OK. I’ll get used to it."

Arnold said, "(Scoring) won’t be a problem for him once he gets going. Before he’s finished he could be a 1,000/1,000 (rebounds and points) player," Arnold said.

The only one of those in UH history is Werts.

"How many (rebounds) did he have?" Fotu inquired. Told the four-season total was 1,098, Fotu just smiled.

Let the pursuit begin.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.