The 6-foot-7 forward's contribution to the University of Hawaii basketball team blossomed during an exhibition scrimmage in Japan last year.
Roy Igwe announced on June 18th that he will join the Rainbow Warriors.
Born and raised in Japan, Igwe will graduate from St. Mary's International School in Tokyo in 2023. He spent last year at St. Thomas More School, a college preparatory academy in Oakdale, Connecticut. He recovered from an ankle injury and moved into the Chancellors' rotation this season, averaging 20 points and nearly 10 rebounds in 40 games. minutes.
Last August, Igwe played on an amateur team that played a scrimmage against UH during the Bowes' exhibition tour in Japan. Igwe had 12 points and seven rebounds, but injured his ankle in the third quarter of that scrimmage.
“I think I impressed them there,” Igwe said.
Cal State assistant coach Cody Kelly, who previously worked with Japan's top professional team, the Chiba Jets, knew Igwe through his AAU coaching.
Igwe said he received offers from schools on the East Coast. But he said Hawaii's proximity to Japan was a factor in his decision.
“And there are so many Japanese people living in Hawaii,” Igwe added. “The coaching staff were also really loyal. I went on a visit last week and I spoke to the whole coaching staff. They were very keen to get me. I got that kind of love from the other coaching staff. I didn't feel that way. That was the reason I fell in love with the island and the people.”
Igwe plans to feature as a wing forward for Bowes. He is known for his aggressive defense, mid-range accuracy, quick drives, and two-handed finishing at the rim.
“I'm very physical,” Igwe says.
Igwe said his father is Nigerian and his mother is Japanese. His parents met more than 20 years ago when his father immigrated to Japan in search of better employment opportunities. Igwe is also friends with Akira Jacobs, a University of California forward who grew up in Japan and California. “He had good words for me about the coaching staff,” Igwe said.
Six seniors earned UH eligibility in March. Mo Sek, a 7-foot-2 center who is recovering from a torn ACL, has transferred to Fresno State. In December, UH signed guards AJ Economou and Aaron Hankin-Clator, who joined the Bowes midway through the season. During the spring semester, which ended Friday, UH signed 6-10, 275-pound center Tanner Christensen, a transfer from Utah Tech, and former Houston Christian guard Marcus “Marmur” Green. did.
>> University of California Basketball Camp:
The Bowes have announced that they will hold three four-day youth basketball camps in June and August. The camp will be held at the University of California's Stan Sherif Center and Gym 2.
>> Camps for ages 6 to 17 are June 10-13 and June 24-27. The camp for ages 6 to 13 will run from August 5th to 8th.
>> The cost for each camp is $275 per student.
>>College coaches and selected players will serve as instructors.
For more information, visit rainbowwarriorbasketballcamp.totalcamps.com or contact Conor Glennon at 808-956-6501 or cglennon@hawaii.edu.