HONOLULU – University of Hawai`i men's basketball coach Gib Arnold announced the signing of Ronnie Stevens to a national letter of intent during the early signing period. Stevens will enroll at UH next fall and will have four years of eligibility.

 

Stevens, a 6-8, 225- lb forward, comes to UH with a winning background. He was a key member of a Serra High School team that accumulated a 35-2 record en route to a state championship. Stevens averaged 12.5 pg, 10.5 rpg and 4.9 bpg as a junior last season. An imposing physical specimen with a long wing-span, Stevens is regarded as a ferocious rebounder and one of the top shot blockers in the state. The website calihighsports.com ranks him as the No. 13 prep player in the state of California.

 

 “What I like most about Ronnie is he is a winner,” Arnold said. “He come from a great Serra High basketball program in Los Angeles and knows what it takes to win championships. He comes from a great family and we're thrilled that he is now part of the Hawai'i basketball `ohana.”

 

Despite earning his reputation on the defensive end of the court, Stevens also has a burgeoning offensive game and is expected to blossom this season in the post. The native of Gardena, Calif., turned heads in the AAU circuit this summer, including a 25-point,16-rebound and six-assist effort in Belmont Shore's final game of the Duel in the Desert Tournament.

 

Stevens chose UH after receiving interest from the likes of Colorado, Marquette, Nevada, New Mexico State, Oregon, San Diego State TCU, Utah, Virginia Tech and Washington State.