UH-Hilo Hoops Adds Depth for Upcoming Season

New University of Hawai`i at Hilo men’s basketball coach GE Coleman has inked his first two recruits to help fill a depleted 2013-2014 roster.

In a university release, Coleman and the Vulcans announced that Jeff Perkins and Dom Campbell have signed on to play for UH-Hilo. Both players are 6-foot-6 transfers.

Perkins, a native of Seattle, WA, competed at Utah State University – College of Eastern Utah, a Division I member of the National Junior College Athletic Association. In 31 games played, he averaged 10.2 points per game and shot 45.6 percent from the field. USU Eastern finished the 2012-2013 season with a 14-17 record.

UH-Hilo transfer Jeff Perkins. USU Eastern photo.

His highlight moment last season came in a 75-63 win over Western Wyoming Community College on Jan. 2. He scored 28 points, shot 12-for-17 from the field, and grabbed five rebounds in his team’s victory.

“Jeff is a very athletic and versatile player,” said Coleman in the university’s release. “He can guard every position on the floor for us and has the ability to get to the rim and score on the offensive end. He has very good size for a wing. Jeff’s athletic ability, versatility and competitiveness fits well with what we are trying to do.”

Campbell is a transfer from Tacoma Community College, a West Division member of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges. The Titans finished 21-10 last season and made it to the NWAACC tournament. He scored 2.8 PPG in 12 games while suffering through a foot injury.

UH-Hilo transfer Joey Rodriguez. College of Marin photo.

The Vulcans also announced that Joey Rodriguez, a 6-foot guard from Petaluma, CA, had signed with the team for the upcoming season. The transfer from College of Marin was signed while Zac Zepponi oversaw the program following former coach Jeff Law’s departure.

Rodriguez was named to the Bay Valley Conference’s All-Conference Team last season following his squad’s 16-10 season. The Bay Valley Conference is part of the California Community College Athletic Association.

Last season, the Vulcans lost six players to graduation. The three recruits will join Oxone-Ross Mavungu, Lucas Swanson, Derek Owens, Daniel Perry, Mika Wong, and Brandon Thomas this season.

All three players will have two years of eligibility with UH-Hilo.