HILO, Hawai`i--UH Hilo's newest men's basketball recruit won't have to change his path much when going to school in 2020-21.

The Vulcans have signed Waiakea High School standout Kiai Apele, announced today by UHH head coach GE Coleman. Apele, who is a senior this year, will join the Vulcan program next fall.

"We have followed Kiai for a long time," Coleman said. "He was our team manager back when he was in the sixth grade."

Apele, a 5-foot-11 guard, was the BIIF Player of the Year as a junior (2018-19). In the BIIF title game, he had 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 67-45 win over HIlo HS. The Warriors also won the BIIF championship in 2017, with Apele making the winning shot on a buzzer-beater in a 68-66 victory over Konawaena.

This year, Apele is averaging 18 points a game, along with six assists, four rebounds and two steals a contest. He is shooting 49 percent from the field and 78 percent from the free throw line. 

Waiakea's head coach is former Vulcan Paul Lee, and the Warriors' assistant coach is Kiai's father, Randy Apele.

"Kiai has had a very good four years at Waiakea," Coleman added. "He has continued to improve under Coach Lee. We look forward to Kiai being a part of our program and to continue to see his growth as a player."