Point guards Jeremy Lay and Dwain Williams fulfilled their commitments by signing letters of intent yesterday to play for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

Both players will be juniors during the 2009-10 season, and will have two seasons of eligibility for the Rainbow Warriors.

"We feel like they are two very skilled players who fit what we were looking for," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "We want to play a more up-tempo game and these two can certainly help us move in that direction."

Williams, who is 6 feet and 175 pounds, could be considered the find of the 2009 class. He was a starter at Providence during his sophomore season in 2007-08, but did not play basketball this past season.

"He's quick and he can shoot the long ball," Nash said. "He showed what he can do at a high level with Providence in the Big East Conference."

Williams averaged 11.0 points and 2.2 points per game as a sophomore, and led the team in free-throw percentage (.902) and 3-point percentage (.407).

Williams, who is from San Diego, attended a junior college in California this past season, but did not play basketball.

Nash's son, Bobby, played on the same AAU team as Williams for four years.

"I know Dwain and his family, and I've seen him develop as a person and a player," Nash said.

Lay, who is 6 feet and 185 pounds, was a two-year starter at Northern Oklahoma College at Enid. He averaged 16.7 points and 6.5 assists per game as a sophomore this past season. He also led the team with 58 3-pointers.

"Jeremy is more of a pure lead guard, but I think both guys have the ability to play two positions (point and shooting guard)," Nash said. "That's the beauty of having players like this who can handle the ball and shoot it as well."

Nash said Lay and Williams will have to battle returnees Kareem Nitoto and Hiram Thompson for playing time next season.

"Competition is only going to make all of them better," Nash said.

Lay and Williams are the first two recruits to sign with the 'Bows for the 2009-10 season. Hawai'i has two more scholarships it can fill.

"Recruiting is ongoing," Nash said. "We're always looking to bring in more quality players."

The signing period for basketball recruits runs through May 20.

FLEMINGS TAKES TOP HONOR AT BANQUET

Roderick Flemings was named the Art Woolaway Most Outstanding Player at the UH Men's Basketball Awards Banquet last night at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Flemings, a 6-7 junior wing, led the team in scoring with 16.6 points per game, and was second in rebounding with 5.8 per game.

Sophomore point guard Hiram Thompson won the Ah Chew Goo Most Inspirational Player award. Thompson, who returned to Hawai'i this season after serving a two-year church mission in Iowa, played with injuries to both hamstrings throughout the season.

Junior center Paul Campbell won the Most Improved Player award. He was a seldom-used reserve last season, but emerged as a starter this season.

Junior forward Bill Amis won both the Team Captain and Scholar-Athlete awards.

2008-09 AWARD WINNERS

Art Woolaway Most Outstanding Player: Roderick Flemings. Ah Chew Goo Most Inspirational Player: Hiram Thompson. Most Improved Player: Paul Campbell. Top Playmaker: Kareem Nitoto. Top Scorer: Roderick Flemings. Top Rebounder: Bill Amis. Top Defensive Player: Kareem Nitoto. Top Free Throw Shooter: Lasha Parghalava. Team Captain: Bill Amis. Scholar-Athlete: Bill Amis.