UH center wants Classic title

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Haim Shimonovich has nothing against Christmas, he just wants to turn this week into a festive time of year for different reasons.

Hawai'i center Haim Shimonovich was named the Rainbow Classic's Most Outstanding Player last season. Advertiser library photo

The 'Bows, who are off to a 4-1 start, will face Bradley in a first-round game of the eight-team tournament Friday at the Stan Sheriff Center. Hawai'i won the Rainbow Classic last year for only the seventh time in the 38-year history of the tournament, and Shimonovich became the eighth UH player to earn Most Outstanding Player honors.

"I have good memories of the Rainbow Classic," said the 6-foot-10 junior center. "But it's still basketball. It's another part of the season for me."

For reasons obvious to most Americans the week between today and Jan. 1 is indeed special. For Hawai'i basketball fans, the Rainbow Classic has become a part of that holiday tradition.

As UH head coach Riley Wallace said: "The Rainbow Classic has always been special for this program. There are no classes for the players, it's good basketball, it's during the holidays, and the fans usually come out for the games."

"I didn't know it was such a big thing until I came here," he said. "I think here, it's more about tradition than religion. You have people of many different religions who observe Christmas. In Hawai'i, I notice it's a time for people to come together as families, and that's the part I can relate to."

Indeed, Shimonovich has been nicknamed "Big Daddy" by his teammates, and as he put it: "We all come from different places, and our real families cannot be here, so this has become like our family."

As proof, Shimonovich attended a Christmas party at Wallace's house on Monday night, and exchanged gifts with teammates.

"That's the tradition, and I like getting presents, too," he said.

If the 'Bows are to win the Rainbow Classic, much will depend on Shimonovich's presence.

Through UH's first five games, he is averaging 12.4 points and 8.0 rebounds. Not by coincidence, he was held scoreless in Hawai'i's only loss of the season, 60-49 at San Diego State.

"Everybody knows how important he is to us now," Wallace said. "When he shows up and plays hard, we win."

The 'Bows have even been running special plays for Shimonovich this week during practice in hopes of creating more one-on-one opportunities for him in the low post.

"I know I have to be more aggressive," Shimonovich said. "I am the biggest guy on the court, sometimes, so I need to use that to my advantage."

In the low post, jumping ability is not his strength, but strength is. At 265 pounds, Shimonovich is virtually an immovable object against most college centers.

What's more, he has developed an effective hook shot since last season, although he is sometimes reluctant to use it.

"These are all things I could do before," he said. "I just have to keep practicing it and use it better in the games."

• Carter's fine: Back-up point guard Jason Carter has practiced the last two days with a bruised tendon in his right knee. He is expected to be at full strength for Friday's game.

"It's still a little sore," he said. "But I have to play, so there's no sense complaining about it."

Carter, a 5-10 junior, injured his knee during the second half of UH's 68-56 victory over New Orleans last Saturday.

• Campbell's sick: Starting point guard and senior team captain Mark Campbell is suffering from a case of the flu, and missed yesterday's practice. He is expected to be OK for Friday's game.

"Hopefully, it's just a 24-hour thing," said Wallace, who recently got over the flu himself. "He's younger than I am, so I expect him to recover quicker."

Also, freshman forward Ikaika Alama-Francis had back spasms yesterday, and his status for Friday is questionable.