Hawaii signs big man to help hold down post

Restocking the post, the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team secured a written commitment from 6-foot-11, 210-pound Bol Dengdit.

Dengdit, who played this past season at UC San Diego after three years at Portland, said he signed a commitment contract with the Rainbow Warriors. He will join the ’Bows in June with one season of NCAA eligibility remaining.

Post players Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson, Harry Rouhliadeff, Gytis Nemeiksa and Yacine Toumi were seniors during the 2025-26 season. Johnson is filing a long-shot waiver that would allow him to play as a sixth-year senior in 2026-27. If denied, Johnson, who earns a bachelor’s degree next month, would seek basketball opportunities overseas.

Dengdit brings length, inside-outside versatility, experience (96 games, 73 starts the past three years), and a familiarity with the ’Bows’ offense.

He is the third post to transfer to UH this month, following 6-11 Houran Dan (Seattle) and 6-9 Zack Davidson (Northern Arizona). Arizona State transfer Marcus Adams Jr. is a 6-8 wing/forward who also can play inside.

Dengdit said his decision was based largely on the ’Bows’ “coaching staff and the culture in Hawaii. They went to the (NCAA) Tournament this year, and that’s something I want to be a part of. They’re moving up to the Mountain West next year. That excites me, as well. I want to move up.”

Both UH and UCSD are seceding from the Big West. The ’Bows join the Mountain West on July 1. The Tritons move to the West Coast Conference after the 2026-27 academic year.

This past season, Dengdit averaged 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds overall, and 12.4 points and 5.4 boards in 20 Big West games. In two games against UH, Dengdit averaged 15.0 points.

Dengdit was born in South Sudan and moved to Melbourne, Australia, when he was 6 years old. When he was a 6-foot-3 seventh grader, his friends encouraged him to play basketball.