The 2000s was an eventful decade for the University of Hawaii men’s basketball program. There were two NCAA Tournament appearances, two NIT appearances and a season-opening upset over No. 4-ranked Michigan State. The Riley Wallace era came to a close, with the longtime head coach retiring after the 2006-07 campaign. The decade also included some of the program’s most prolific players, from Predrag Savovic and Carl English to Julian Sensley and Roderick Flemings. We looked back on the decade and came up with our All-Time 2000s UH team. Take a look at our 13-man roster and see if you agree with our picks!
STARTERS:
F – JULIAN SENSLEY – Perhaps the most athletically gifted hoops player to come out of Hawaii. By the time he was done at UH, Sensley was in the Top 10 all time in points, rebounds, assists and steals. A First-Team All-WAC selection in 2006.
F – CARL ENGLISH – A prolific scorer who helped lead Hawaii to three postseasons appearances, including back-to-back NCAA Tournaments. Averaged 19.6 points per game during his junior season. Likely would have become the program’s all-time career scoring leader had he not entered the NBA Draft following the season.
C – BILL AMIS – All around post player who could score, rebound and defend. Led the Rainbow Warriors in blocked shots for three seasons.
G – PREDRAG SAVOVIC – “I am Savo.” Charismatic shooting guard from Croatia was a two-time First Team All-WAC selection, leading UH in scoring for two seasons. Earned Honorable Mention All-America honors in 2002. Played for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets for one season.
G – MARK CAMPBELL – Led the team in assists and steals for two seasons. Consummate floor leader who quarterbacked the 2001-02 NCAA team that won 27 games. The winningest two-year player at UH.
OFF THE BENCH:
F – PHIL MARTIN – One of just two players in UH history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 100 steals in his career (the other is Julian Sensley). Holds the school record for most games played (127).
F – RODERICK FLEMINGS – Spurned Kentucky to play for the Rainbow Warriors. Averaged 16.6 points per game in his two seasons at UH. Named “WAC Player of the Week” three times.
F – NERIJUS PUIDA – Key “glue” player for UH during the program’s back-to-back NCAA Tournament seasons. Averaged 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists in his two UH seasons.
F – JEFF BLACKETT – Steady performer with a deadly midrange jumper. Averaged 8.7 points in 62 games at UH. Tallied 18 points and 6 rebounds in UH’s first-round NIT victory over No. 25 Utah State. It was the first time in history that Hawaii beat a ranked team on the road.
C – AHMET GUEYE – Dominant post defender from Senegal led the ’Bows in blocked shots for two seasons. Ranks No. 4 among the program’s career leaders in blocks. Twice named to the All-WAC Defensive Team.
G – MATT LOJESKI – 15.3 scoring average in his two UH seasons. Scored 20 points (including 6 three-pointers) in Hawaii’s dominating upset over No. 4-ranked Michigan State. Led team in scoring, assists and steals. Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic MOP in 2006.
G – MICHAEL KUEBLER – Shooting guard led UH in scoring (18.1) during the 2003-04 season, leading the Rainbow Warriors to the NIT Quarterfinals. Recorded 14 20-plus point games for UH. Ranks No. 7 on the school’s career list for most three-point FGs made.
G – DEONTE TATUM – Heady floor leader started 41 games for Hawaii.
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