Kalani High School senior Iwalani Rodrigues became the first of Hawai'i's top four college basketball prospects to sign a National Letter of Intent, putting her commitment to the University of Utah in writing yesterday morning.

Rodrigues, a 5-foot-9 1/2 guard/forward who was an Advertiser All-State first team selection for Roosevelt last season, said she chose Utah over Hawai'i.

Rodrigues also received offers from Idaho State, Virginia Tech and Pepperdine.

"I always wanted to experience the Mainland, to live somewhere different and meet different people," she said. "I visited Utah (in early October) and it was way different from home. I really liked it."

Rodrigues' host during her visit was former 'Iolani standout and current Utah guard Hennasea Tokumura.

Rodrigues said she also visited UH and narrowed her choices to Hawai'i and Utah until making her decision Tuesday night.

"I liked UH and wouldn't mind staying home, so it was 'iffy,' " Rodrigues said. "I just made my decision on whatever would (result in) being happy."

Rodrigues, a smooth open-court player and crafty scorer/rebounder, averaged 16.3 points per game in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association last season and was named Eastern Division Player of the Year after leading Roosevelt to its second straight league championship.

She had 22 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and three steals in the OIA title game victory over Radford.

Rodrigues transferred to Kalani during the summer, citing "school reasons." She said yesterday she still needs a qualifying SAT score in order to be eligible as an NCAA freshman.

Her next scheduled SAT date is in December.

Meanwhile, Punahou's Shawna-Lei Kuehu — the state's top prospect — did not sign a letter of intent yesterday. She reportedly is weighing offers from Southern California, California and Hawai'i.

Her twin sister, Shaena-Lyn, will likely delay her signing until the spring, Punahou coach Mike Taylor said. He said UH also offered her a scholarship.

'Iolani's Jamie Smith also has been offered a scholarship by Hawai'i, but said Tuesday she plans to visit a Mainland college first before making her decision. She said UH coach Jim Bolla has agreed to wait for her to make the Mainland trip.

Meanwhile, several other Hawai'i athletes signed letters of intent yesterday.

Four members of Kamehameha's three-time state championship volleyball team put their commitments in writing: Kanani Herring (Hawai'i), Bekah Torres (Pacific), Jordan Meredith (Boston College) and Tati Santiago (Nevada).

"Now I can consider myself a UH Wahine," said Herring, the two-time reigning Advertiser State Player of the Year.

Meredith said she liked the atmosphere of Boston College because it was different from West Coast colleges.

"I was kind of anxious, worried and scared at the same time but excited that I get to start this new chapter of my life," she said.

Three Punahou athletes also signed their letters in a school ceremony yesterday morning.

Jeeter Ishida, The Advertiser's reigning baseball State Player of the Year, signed with Arizona State. All-State libero Sydney Yogi signed with Texas' volleyball program, and All-State outside hitter Erik Shoji signed with Stanford to play volleyball.

At Moanalua, pitcher Sarah Robinson signed a letter of intent to play for Hawai'i. According to her father, Pete, she turned down offers from California and UCLA.

Robinson's sister, Kate, is a second-team All-America pitcher/first baseman for UH.

At 'Iolani, All-State outside hitter Brad Lawson signed on to play volleyball at Stanford.

The Cardinal already have three players from Hawai'i on their roster — Kawika Shoji ('Iolani), Spencer McLachlin (Punahou) and Jordan Inafuku (Kamehameha) — and Punahou graduate Max Halvorson is a freshman walk-on candidate.

Kawika Shoji is Erik's brother; both are sons of UH women's coach Dave Shoji.

'Iolani's Leinani Keanini (San Francisco) and Word of Life's Chanteal Satele (St. Mary's, Calif.) are expected to sign their letters of intent this week, according to school officials.

Staff writer Stan Lee contributed to this report.

Read Wes Nakama's blog on prep sports at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.