Warrior Insider

Justin Webster and Bernardo da Silva completed their respective paperwork to officially join the University of Hawai’i basketball team. Both recruits committed last week to play for the Rainbow Warriors.

Here is the official announcement from www.hawaiiathletics.com …

HONOLULU – University of Hawai’i men’s basketball head coach Eran Ganot announced the signing of a pair of dynamic players for the 2019-20 season. Justin Webster, a 6-3 combo guard, and  Bernardo da Silva, a 6-9 forward, will join the team this summer with four years of eligibility each.

Webster spent the 2018-19 season at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. This past season, Webster helped guide Hargrave to a 35-3 record, while posting 16.2 points per game and connecting on 45 percent of his three-pointers.

Prior to Hargrave, Webster starred at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas. In 35 games played, he averaged 20.6 points, 2.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. He led his team to the semifinals of the Class 6A TAPPS TX Boy’s Basketball Tournament and earned all-state honors at season’s end.

Webster also played for Pro Skills (Texas) in the Nike EYBL League and averaged 15.2 ppg last year during the prestigious Peach Jam tournament. He was coached by his father Jeff, a former all-conference player at Oklahoma and 1994 second-round draft pick of the Miami Heat.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Justin join our program,” Ganot said. “In looking for a dynamic scorer for our backcourt, Justin certainly fits the bill. He’s a tremendous shooter and has an uncanny feel for the game. He’s played for a number of elite programs and comes from a tremendous family. We’re extremely excited to get a player of his caliber—both in character and skill.”

Da Silva, meanwhile, just completed his third season at Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah. A McDonald’s All-America nominee, he averaged 7.8 points and 4.3 rebounds for a balanced squad that finished the season ranked fifth nationally.

On the AAU circuit, da Silva played for the Utah Mountain Stars and averaged 14.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game over the summer. A native of Brazil, he has also been a member of the Jordan Brand international team and was invited to play in the 2016 and ’17 adidas Nations Tournament.

“Bernardo gives our frontcourt another dimension,” Ganot said. “He’s long with a 7-2 wingspan and has the versatility to play both post positions. He’s a tremendous shot-blocker and rebounder and a strong finisher around the rim. We couldn’t be happier to welcome Bernardo to our ‘ohana. He’s a great student, a phenomenal kid, and as a basketball player has unlimited potential.”

Webster and da Silva join junior college transfer Junior Madut –  who signed earlier this spring – in this year’s Rainbow Warrior recruiting class. Other newcomers for the 2019-20 squad include Kahuku High School product Jessiya Villa, a 2017 UH signee who returns to the island after serving a two-year church mission, and fellow local product Kameron Ng of Saint Francis School. Both Ng and Villa are former Hawai’i state player of the year honorees.

2019-20 Men’s Basketball Signees
Bernardo da Silva, F, 6-9, Fr., Rio das Ostras, Brazil (Wasatch Academy)
Junior Madut, F, 6-5, Jr., Sydney, Australia (Eastern Florida State College)
Justin Webster, G, 6-3, Fr., Dallas, Texas  (Hargrave Military Academy)