LAS VEGAS » He’s got game after all.

With each big shot that dropped through the net Friday night, Shaquille Stokes’ self-doubt dissipated a little bit more. By the end of Hawaii’s 92-81 loss to New Mexico State in the WAC tournament semifinals, that nagging feeling was completely gone.

By helping the Rainbow Warriors nearly complete a thrilling comeback, and tying his career high of 21 points in the process, the 5-foot-10 freshman guard from Lincoln High in New York demonstrated his promising abilities to everyone in the Orleans Arena.

Shaquille Stokes:
Tied his career high of
21 points

After averaging 19 points in UH’s two games in the tournament, perhaps the most important person he proved it to was himself.

Stokes came to Hawaii amid plenty of hype as the New York City Player of the Year. But after a rough start, he found himself watching, and not playing, for much of his freshman season.

But he got a chance in Sin City because of Zane Johnson’s illness and absence from the team. And now he’s got something significant to draw upon for his sophomore season.

"It helped my confidence out a lot," said Stokes, dubbed by at least one publication as the New York City Player of the Year before coming to UH. "There’s times where I thought I didn’t have it any more from my high school days. Now I’m past that."

With Miah Ostrowski handling most of the play-making duties — UH’s primary point guard set a career high of 13 assists in his final college game — Stokes focused on attacking.

He used a combination of the 3-ball, runners and aggressive slashes to earn team-high scoring honors. Stokes shot a solid percentage most of the game, finishing at 7-for-16 with a couple of misses in desperation time.

There was also a pretty first-half drive-and-dish to Vander Joaquim for a slam once Stokes had drawn the defense in the paint.

"I had to fill big shoes; Zane Johnson wasn’t here," Stokes said. "So I was just taking my time, being patient, hitting open shots when needed. Playing with a great point guard in Miah Ostrowski, he’s one of the great point guards that I’ve played with in a long time. Just watching him play, he helped me out a lot. So I’m just glad that I got a chance to learn from him. … That groomed me to become a better player. So I’m just happy for where I’m at right now."

With UH’s starting backcourt of Ostrowski and Johnson done, Stokes will have a larger role next year. At the postgame interview podium, coach Gib Arnold glowed about Stokes and junior center Vander Joaquim.

"We’re going in the right direction," Arnold said. "These guys have helped us continue to build this program."

Stokes listened to his coach’s praise, then promised to put in the time to improve his game going into his second season.

"(Coach Gib Arnold) knows what we have to do to work and get better for next year," Stokes said. "I’m going to be a lot stronger, a lot better … a better point guard going into next season," Stokes said. "It’s going to be a fun season."

Aside from a few freshman decisions — a contested, air-balled 3 late in the game being one of them — Stokes was a key piece of UH’s comeback bid.

"They’ve got some big-time players, even without Zane," NMSU coach Marvin Menzies said.

On this night, Stokes was assuredly one of those players.