'Big-time scorer' signs with Hawai'i

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

It's a good thing the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team received a letter of intent from high-scoring guard Matt Gibson early yesterday morning.

He spent the rest of the day celebrating in the gym.

"I'll play all day if I can; if somebody else is using the gym, I'll go shoot on the outdoor courts if I have to," said Gibson, who is 6 feet 4 and 170 pounds. "I've been set on coming to Hawai'i for a while now, so I'm just concentrating on improving my game."

Gibson will join the Rainbow Warriors as a sophomore next season, and will have three seasons of eligibility. Yesterday was the first day of the "late" signing period for recruits.

"He's a big-time scorer," said UH associate coach Jackson Wheeler, who recruited Gibson. "His offensive skills are more advanced than any of the recruits we've brought in here in a long time."

Gibson was fourth in the National Junior College Athletic Association with 25.8 points per game at Three Rivers Community College (Mo.).

He can play both guard positions, although he is now a candidate to replace Michael Kuebler, UH's leading scorer as a senior last season.

Gibson is the second recruit to sign with UH. Matt Gipson, a 6-9 forward at North Idaho College, signed in the early period in November. Gipson was recently named a third-team junior college All-American.

Because of their similar names, the Hawai'i coaches have started referring to Gipson as "Big Matt," and Gibson as "Little Matt."

"I think both those guys can come in and help us right away," UH head coach Riley Wallace said.

Hawai'i has one more scholarship to offer. Chris Botez, a 7-foot center at Chemeketa Community College (Ore.), will make a recruiting visit to Hawai'i this weekend.

J.P. Batista, a 6-8 forward who was being recruited by Hawai'i, signed with Gonzaga.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.