HONOLULU – University of Hawai`i men's basketball coach Bob Nash announced the signing of junior college transfer Douglas Kurtz to a national letter of intent. Kurtz is the third player to join the Rainbow Warriors' 2009-010 recruiting class.
Kurtz, a native of Brazil, comes to Hawai`i via Marshalltown Community College in Iowa. The 7-foot-0, 265-pound center averaged 9.6 ppg and 5.8 rpg as a sophomore for the Tigers and led the conference in both field goal percentage (.671) and free throw percentage (.847). Kurtz was named All-Region XI honorable mention. As a freshman, Kurtz averaged 6.0 ppg and 5.4 rpg, while shooting 59.1 percent from the floor.
Kurtz, who has two years of eligibility, joins guards Jeremy Lay and Dwain Williams in this year's recruiting class. Both Lay and Williams signed last month.
“We're really happy to add Douglas to the program,” Nash said. “We needed a big, physical player and he definitely provides us with that. With Douglas, Jeremy and Dwain, we're closer to where we want to be, and with the addition of a slasher we could complete an outstanding recruiting class.”
Kurtz comes from the same school that produced former Rainbow Warrior standouts Anthony Harris and another impactful 7-foot center in Tony Maroney.
“Douglas is a strong 7-footer who has his best basketball in front of him,” Nash adds. “He's strong, can run the floor and plays hard. Offensively, he has good hands, is active around the basket and has a nice, short jump shot. He'll really make his presence felt defensively. Teams were able to take advantage of us inside at times last year and with Douglas's sheer size, physicality and quickness, he should be disruptive and boost our interior defense immensely.”
The native of Pelotas is UH's second-ever Brazilian basketball player, joining Fabio Ribeiro who suited up for the Rainbow Warriors during the 1991-92 and '92-93 seasons.
2009-10 University of Hawai`i Signees
Douglas Kurtz, C, 7-0, 265, Jr., Pelotas, Brazil (Marshalltown CC)
Jeremy Lay, G, 6-0, 185, Jr., Oklahoma City, OK (Northern Oklahoma College-Enid)
Dwain Williams, G, 6-0, 175, Jr., San Diego, Calif. (Providence)
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