Warrior Insider

The Hawaii basketball team continued to build for the future with the signings of two recruits.

Caleb Dressler, a 6-foot-10 center from Washington, and Orel Lev, a 6-4 guard from Israel, each signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Warriors. Both players will be freshmen in the 2012-13 season.

“Two good ones,” Hawaii head coach Gib Arnold said. “We think both of these guys fit into the kind of players we want moving forward as a program.”

Dressler is about to begin his senior season at Evergreen High, and will be a freshman during the 2012-13 season.

Lev could enroll at UH as soon as January, but is not expected to play this season. He will also be a freshman in the 2012-13 season.

Here is the official release from the UH Media Relations department:

HONOLULU – University of Hawai`i men’s basketball coach Gib Arnold announced the signing of a pair of players during the early signing period. Post player Caleb Dressler and shooting guard Orel Lev each signed with Hawai‘i and will join the team with four years of eligibility.

Dressler, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound center, averaged a double-double his last two seasons for Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Wash., including 17 ppg, 14.5 rpg, and 2.5 bpg during his junior season. For his efforts, he was named league MVP of the Washington 4A Greater St. Helens League.

Big things are expected from Dressler in his senior campaign with WashingtonPreps.com ranking him one of the top players out of the state in 2012. He was also named MVP of the Oregon Elite 40 event, a showcase for players in the Northwest. Dressler does the majority of his offensive work in the post but has developed a mid-range game and with his big frame is a proven rebounder and shot blocker.

“Caleb will be the center of our future,” Arnold said. “He’s a big and strong and is not afraid to mix it up in the post. He’s a super kid and an excellent student, exactly what we’re looking for to represent the University of Hawai‘i. His best basketball is still ahead of him and I’m confident our fans will enjoy following his progression the next four years.”

Dressler, who received interest from Cal, Gonzaga, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington and Washington State among others, ultimately picked UH over Montana State and Portland State.

Lev, meanwhile, is the fourth international player to be recruited to UH by Arnold and will be just the second Israeli in program history, joining Haim Shimonovich (2001-04). The 6-4 guard and native of Tel Aviv, averaged 25 ppg and 5 apg while shooting 40 percent from the 3-point range for Ironi Tet High School.

Regarded as on the best young athletes in Israel, he captained the Under-18 National Team and averaged 8.5 ppg while shooting 55 percent in eight games during the 2011 U18 Men’s European Championships. Lev also earned experience with Maccabi Tel Aviv’s U-18 amateur squad, averaging 11.8 ppg and.5 rpg while shooting 64.5 percent from the field in just 23 minutes per game.

“Orel gives us another great international player and hopefully helps us start a pipeline of talented players from Israel,” Arnold said. “He’s an outstanding athlete and leader as evidenced by his role as team captain of the U18 Israeli national team. What really impresses me with Orel is his work ethic and his desire to improve. He’s a winner and tough kid who I believe will have a wonderful career here at the University of Hawai‘i.”

2012-13 Recruiting Class
Caleb Dressler, 6-10, 240, C, Fr., Vancouver, Wa., Evergreen HS
Orel Lev, 6-4, 190, G, Fr., Tel Aviv, Israel, Ironi Tet High School