Florida big man picks ‘Bows

Hawaii beat the buzzer for a much-needed big man on the final day of the spring signing period.

By signing 6-foot-7, 240-pound Sammis Reyes of North Broward (Fla.) Prep to a binding national letter of intent on Wednesday, UH shored up its frontcourt for the 2014-15 season.

Reyes, an incoming freshman with four years of eligibility, stands a good chance of playing immediately for a Rainbow Warriors squad in need of heft down low. The wide-bodied native of Chile displayed a versatile skill-set in averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds and four assists per game in helping North Broward to the regional semifinals.

"I’m really happy this all worked out, and I’m very excited to join this team and win some championships in our conference," Reyes said in a message to the Star-Advertiser. "I wanna be part of something special and I know Hawaii is a great place to do that. … Can’t wait to take this team to the NCAA Tournament and make some big-time noise in the country!"

An ongoing NCAA investigation apparently did not impair UH’s chances in this case.

Reyes added: "I’m a guy who will bring the winning mentality to the team and a lot of hard work. I am very, very excited to go out there and do the best I can to help this team!"

UH’s projected stable of bigs next season now runs a little deeper: Reyes joins 6-8 junior Isaac Fotu, 6-8 sophomore Mike Thomas, 6-10 sophomore Stefan Jovanovic and 6-10 sophomore Stefan Jankovic. Jankovic won’t be eligible to play until mid-December.

Reyes’ YouTube highlight videos includes one six-minute compilation of him dunking in games over and over. He also blocked his share of shots and occasionally took opponents to the basket off the dribble.

"We are thrilled to have Sammis join our team next year," coach Gib Arnold said in a UH release. "He was our No. 1 big-man recruit and we felt it was important to wait until the last day to get him. He is a beast. … he can bench press 325 pounds and play multiple positions. He has the strength of a power forward and the skills and athleticism of a guard. He really blew up during the spring basketball events. He had numerous offers and beating out the likes of Wichita State, Ohio, and conference rival Long Beach State was not easy. Obviously we are thrilled he chose to be a Rainbow Warrior. Hawaii basketball fans will love watching Sammis’ ferocious dunks in the Stan Sheriff (Center) soon."

Reyes is the third member of UH’s 2014-15 signing class, joining Massanutten (Va.) Military Academy guard Isaac Fleming and Indian Hills (Iowa) Community College guard Roderick Bobbitt. Walk-on guards Tyler Harville and Brock Stepteau are also expected to join the team.

UH has at least one more scholarship available. Though the signing period is over, Arnold can still add players with non-binding scholarship agreements.