The Rainbow Warrior connection to Salt Lake Community College will continue next season.

P.J. Owsley, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound power forward at Salt Lake CC (Utah), said he is committed to playing for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team next season.

"What's not to like about Hawai'i?" he said of his recruiting visit to Honolulu last weekend. "I grew up in Montana, so I'm used to seeing snow all the time. It was amazing to see all those beaches over there."

Owsley averaged 11.2 points and 5.0 rebounds as a sophomore at Salt Lake last season. He shot 53.1 percent from the field, 67.1 percent on free throws, and led the team with 34 blocked shots.

"I feel like I'm an all-around player," he said. "I like to shoot that 15-foot jumper, but I also like to rebound and play defense."

Owsley was an all-state player at Bozeman High (Mont.) and then signed with Montana State in 2003. He transferred to Salt Lake CC after playing a reserve role as a freshman at Montana State.

"There was no conflict with the coaches or anything like that," Owsley said. "I just wanted to check out something new."

He had to sit out the 2004-05 season at Salt Lake after undergoing surgery on his left knee. However, he still attended games during that season, and his roommate was current Hawai'i center Ahmet Gueye.

"I remember when Ahmet signed with Hawai'i and he told me it was paradise," Owsley said. "He was right. It's perfect. I really feel like it's the place for me, and having Ahmet there again is going to be a big help."

Salt Lake CC also produced former 'Bows Troy Ostler and Jeff Blackett.

Owsley will be a junior at Hawai'i next season and will have two seasons of eligibility. He was also being recruited by Idaho and UC Santa Barbara.

Owsley will be the fifth recruit to sign with UH for next season. The others are 7-foot center Todd Follmer, 6-2 point guard Todd Lowenthal, 6-5 wing player Riley Luettgerodt, and 6-8 forward Alex Veit.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.