Tiger Cuff will join older brother Tanner on UH basketball team

The University of Hawaii men’s basketball team today secured a commitment from a 6-foot-6, multi-purpose guard.

Tiger Cuff, the younger brother of UH guard Tanner Cuff, will join the Rainbow Warriors in June after completing a church mission in Brazil. He will have five years to play four UH seasons.

Tiger Cuff was a standout player at American Fork High in Utah. As a senior in 2024, he accepted a scholarship offer from Weber State, his father’s alma mater. Ryan Cuff has coached three high school teams to four Utah state championships.

When WSU head coach Eric Duft moved into a non-coaching position last month, that allowed Cuff to open his recruitment.

“I was like, ‘Gibson (Johnson), you need to get on him right away,’” Tanner Cuff recalled telling the UH assistant coach.’”

Ryan Cuff said the new Weber State coaches “jumped on board and still wanted Tiger. But I think with the great feedback from Tanner and, of course, the great season Hawaii had, it felt like it would be a great fit for Tiger, as well.”

Cuff said his sons excel in ball-handling, weak-side rebounding, and basketball IQ. Tanner Cuff, who is 6-7, is skilled in creating points off the bounce. Tiger Cuff has better outside-shooting aim.

“We’re extremely excited,” the elder Cuff said. “He’s been around the game his whole life, like Tanner. They’re really basketball minded. They had no other choice. They grew up with a basketball in their hands since they were in the crib.”

Because of the age difference — Tanner is 25, Tiger is 20 — this will be the first time the brothers will be teammates.

“He plays the game the right way,” Tanner said. “I’m super excited to play with him.”

Ryan Cuff said his wife approved of the unique name.

“It had nothing to do with Tiger Woods,” he said. “We’re not golfers. … His middle name is Luke. It’s a family name. His name’s Tiger Luke. I said if it didn’t fit, we could always go with his middle name. I got lucky, and she agreed, and the rest is history. He always stayed Tiger. He definitely fits. He’s a tiger on the basketball court, for sure.”