Isaac Fleming is prepared to march across the country and into the ranks of the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
Fleming, a 6-foot-3 senior combo guard at Virginia’s Massanutten Military Academy, became the UH basketball team’s first oral commitment for the 2014 class on Saturday.
Chain of command rules the day — and nights — at rigid Massanutten.
"It’s a lot of structure, a lot of marching," said Fleming, a Delaware native. "Your room has to stay clean. A lot of discipline.
"It prepares me with time management. At times it’s a struggle, but at the end of the day I do what I have to do to prepare myself for the next level. But it should prepare me pretty well, with all the rules and everything we have to do."
Fleming, classified as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, took an official visit to the islands at the end of August and had visits lined up to his other top choices, Murray State and Wake Forest.
"Yeah, I’m not going anymore," he said.
The left-hander, who’s rated with above-average athleticism at his position, will have four years of eligibility starting in the 2014-15 season.
Ty White oversees the Team Loaded AAU program that Fleming played for. He described the guard as an instant-impact get for UH.
"His versatility," White said when asked Fleming’s greatest asset. "He can score in different ways. He’s not just a shooter, but a scorer who can defend as well. Not too many kids these days can play both ends of the court. He’s just a tough, gritty, hard-nosed basketball player. He’s a throwback player who just loves to play basketball. Not a prima donna. He just loves to play."
White said Fleming averaged about 18 points per game on a team with several other Division I prospects. He played in Las Vegas, among other places, over the summer.
UH coach Gib Arnold cannot comment on recruits until they are officially signed. Fleming can sign a binding National Letter of Intent on Nov. 13.
Fleming said associate head coach Benjy Taylor was his primary contact through his recruitment.
Distance from the East Coast won’t be an issue, he said; he’s used to being away from his Delaware family while at the academy.
"(My parents) are not really worried about the distance," Fleming said. "It is a great future at the University of Hawaii."
