UH men’s basketball lands 6-11 transfer from UC San Diego

The University of Hawaii men’s basketball team strengthened the post with the addition of 6-foot-11, 210-pound Bol Dengdit.

Dengdit said he has signed a commitment contract with the Rainbow Warriors to complete his transfer from UC San Diego.

Dengdit told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser 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. As a 6-foot-3 seventh grader, his friends encouraged him to play basketball.

He recalled: “I was playing soccer, and they said, ‘what are you doing? You’re so tall. You should be playing basketball.’ That’s how I started. I went from there and fell in love with the game.”

In 2019, he joined the NBA Global Academy, which is an elite basketball training center at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. Dengdit played for the Australian national team at the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifier round, and also competed in the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup.

Dengdit initially signed with the University of Portland, redshirting in 2022-23 and then playing in 62 games the next two seasons.

“I just needed a change of scenery,” Dengdit said of his decision to transfer to UC San Diego in May 2025. “That was the main thing, going somewhere where I could develop my game more.”

After entering the transfer portal two weeks ago, Dengit targeted UH as a fit for his inside-outside skills. He noted the success of UH posts Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson and Harry Rouhliadeff during their recently completed senior seasons.

“What made it easy is I’m familiar with the offense playing Hawaii twice,” Dengdit said. “It was a no-brainer. I saw what Isaac Johnson did last year. Harry, as well. I grew up playing against Harry (in Australia). I like the way he plays. Both of their games resonate with mine. It made the decision easier.”

Dengdit joins the ’Bows in June. He will have one season of UH eligibility.