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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, April 18, 2010

Pair of guards interested in 'Bows


By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team is still looking to score during this recruiting season.

The latest targets for the Rainbow Warriors are a pair of high-scoring guards.

Bo Barnes of Arizona and Keith Shamburger of California are visiting Hawai'i this weekend. Both players have Hawai'i listed among their final choices.

Shamburger is a 6-foot point guard at Junipero Serra High in Gardena, Calif. He said he has narrowed his choices to Hawai'i and San Jose State.

"I like a lot about Hawai'i, but I'm still deciding," he said. "I'm just looking for a family fit, a place where I can feel comfortable."

Shamburger — who describes his position as "scoring point guard" — averaged 21.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.3 steals per game as a senior this past season at Serra. He led the Cavaliers to the California Division III state championship.

"I think I can bring a lot of confidence where ever I go," he said. "We won states, and now I want to win in college."

Shamburger was named the co-Player of the Year on the All-CIF Division III team. Jordan Coleman of Calabasas High and Trevor Wiseman of Golden Valley were also named to the All-CIF Division III first team. Coleman and Wiseman have already signed with Hawai'i.

"I know Trevor; I don't know Jordan too well," Shamburger said. "But it would be interesting if we all ended up at Hawai'i. We'll see."

Barnes is a 6-foot-4 shooting guard at Westwind Prep International in Phoenix. He said he has narrowed his choices to Hawai'i, Iowa State and "maybe a couple others," including Creighton.

Barnes is considered a sharpshooter, and averaged 17.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this past season.

"Shooting, I guess that's what I'm known for," Barnes said. "Spread the defense out by knocking down shots."

Barnes averaged 19 points per game and made 71 3-pointers in 31 games during his final season at Scottsdale Christian High in 2009. He was planning to attend Liberty University, but opted to enroll at Westwind Prep instead to improve his skills for the college level.

Interestingly, Barnes said he first met Hawai'i head coach Gib Arnold when Arnold was an assistant coach at USC. At that same time, then-Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash and assistant Eran Ganot were also recruiting Barnes.

"It's funny how it worked out," Barnes said. "I got to know the coaches from both schools and now they're at the same school."

Four recruits have already signed to play for the 'Bows next season: Coleman, Wiseman, and junior college transfers Josten Thomas and Vander Joaquim.

Per NCAA rules, Arnold is not allowed to comment on recruits until an official letter of intent is signed.