“Athletic” seems to be the catchword used to generally describe the incoming rookies on the 2017-18 University of Hawai’i basketball team.
The four scholarship newcomers for this season are Samuta Avea, Justin Hemsley, Jaaron Stallworth and Brandon Thomas.
Avea (Kahuku High School) and Justin Hemsley (Damien High School in California) are true freshmen; Stallworth (Yuba College in Arizona) and Thomas (Riverside City College) are sophomores who transferred from junior colleges.
“It was really good,” Avea said of the team’s first few practices. “Coming up to (the first practice), we were all excited and ready. It’s one step closer to the season.