Story by
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Hawaii basketball team signs versatile 6-foot-8 Swiss player
- Story byThe Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- Hawaii basketball team signs versatile 6-foot-8 Swiss player
The University of Hawaii basketball team has secured a commitment from a player with as many tools as a Swiss Army knife.
Alois Leyrolles, a resident of Fribourg, Switzerland, said he made a written pledge to join the Rainbow Warriors this coming season. Finalizing a student visa, Leyrolles is hopeful of participating in the 'Bows' summer training next week.
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"It's an awesome place," Leyrolles said of choosing the 'Bows. "What they have to offer on the court and in my development, it was really clear."
Leyrolles said he received interest from other NCAA schools and European teams.
"It was clear enough I would join (the 'Bows), and I stopped the (recruiting process) with everybody else," he said. "Even in Europe, too."
At 6 feet 8, Leyrolles has international experience playing point guard, off guard, wing, and forward. UH assistant coach John Montgomery noted Leyrolles has a high basketball IQ, can play the one through four positions, read and attack off ball screens, sink nearly 40% of his 3s, and match up physically on defense.
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After a stint with Switzerland's senior national team, Leyrolles played for Fribourg Olympic in the Swiss Basketball League this past season. In 31 games, he averaged 6.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals.
Leyrolles was 3 years old when he was introduced to basketball.
"My dad is a coach," he said. "I was really young. I was always playing. I was always in the gym watching everybody play, and I wanted to do the same. Always with a basketball in my hand."
Leyrolles was born in France but moved after his father was hired for a coaching job in Switzerland. When he was 16, Leyrolles was granted Swiss nationality. He has dual citizenship with France and Switzerland.
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Leyrolles honed his ball-handling and play-making skills as a 5-foot-8 guard.
"It was crazy," Leyrolles said of a growth spurt in which he grew 11 inches, to 6 feet 6 at age 17, during an 18-month period.
"I couldn't fit the shoes," Leyrolles recalled. "I bought shoes and, after one month, they weren't comfortable."
Of his growth, he said, "I can thank my mom. She's close to 6 feet. … Everybody was already grown. I was just a little kid trying to play basketball."
He said he retained his guard skills. He was a point guard for the Swiss national team.
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"It was crazy when you're 20 years old and you have to play for a full country in front of a lot of people," he recalled. "It was unique to represent your country. I hope it will be the same in Hawaii to represent the state and the island. I want to make people proud of us. It's a win-win thing."
