The Hawaii men’s basketball team is looking to stock its guard depth in both the near- and the long-term.
UH will add Tyler Harville of Lexington, Ky., as a preferred walk-on for the 2014-15 season and has a commitment from Abel Porter of Kaysville, Utah, to play for the Rainbow Warriors three seasons from now, once he completes a church mission to Russia.
The 6-foot Harville spent the past season at the Vermont Prep Academy to enhance his profile as a knock-down shooter coming out of the Lexington Christian Academy. He averaged nearly 4.5 3-pointers per game in prep school, then reached out to UH head coach Gib Arnold and assistant Scott Fisher with a highlight package. The film featured many, many drained shots from long range.
It was apparently convincing.
"Pretty sure I’m just out there to shoot it, honestly," Harville said. "I’m a short white dude. Get out there shootin’, man."
The 6-2 Porter’s commitment is non-binding, meaning he could review his options after he returns from his mission. He averaged 14.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game as a senior at Davis High, according to the Davis Clipper, helping the Darts to Utah’s 5A state semifinals. Porter was named the MVP of Utah’s Region 1.
Harville, who sank 125 3-pointers while running around a bevy of screens at shooting guard, will arrive in July for summer school and plans to play in the College Summer League. It will be his first trip to the islands.
He’s made a career out of shooting over taller players.
"I’m used to that for sure," Harville said.
The spring signing period begins on April 16.
