Jace Tavita fully subscribes to the idea that good things come to those who wait.

If that axiom holds up for the 2012-13 Hawaii men’s basketball season, the Rainbow Warriors’ senior point guard is due some serious returns on time invested.

The former Utah point man has run UH’s scout team the past season and a half while redshirting and awaiting a final full season of eligibility. That moment at last arrives on Friday, the regular-season opener vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore in the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic.

"It’s been a long process. It’s a whole lot of being patient, and just hard work, kind of waiting for my opportunity," Tavita said.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Salt Lake City native may not look like a prototypical point guard, but he’s got the proper mind-set for the job. He averaged 1.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists as a Utes sophomore, when he started 19 of 30 games. He feels time served on the UH scout team has only helped him since.

Tavita was awarded tri-captaincy in the preseason for his leadership and patience.

"I’m definitely a pass-first guy. A distributor," he said. "I feel like I can create, not only for myself but for others. I think the biggest thing is I’m more of a floor general, in terms of (I’ve) gotta get guys to their spot. If I see we got a team on the ropes, we’re going to push it. If I see things are getting kind of sloppy, I gotta pull it out and run a set, make sure we get something good."

After playing in five games of the 2010-11 season for the struggling Utes, Tavita decided to request a waiver to look for a new team. His being of Samoan and Hawaiian ancestry made the islands a logical next step, as well as prior familiarity with UH coach Gib Arnold from his high school recruitment.

"Just biding my time," Tavita said. "I’m really excited to be a part of this team."