Kamehameha's Enos will walk on to UH hoops team


Kamehameha's Dyrbe Enos dribbles the ball up court against 'Iolani. ScoringLive file photo
Kamehameha senior Dyrbe Enos has decided to accept an offer to walk on to the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

Enos, a 5 foot 9 guard, said UH coaches extended the offer last week and he decided to accept after earlier considering a similar offer from Hawai'i Pacific University.

"Some of it was money -- HPU costs more," said Enos, who added he was eligible for partial academic-based financial aid at Hawai'i Pacific. "I looked over my options and talked to my brother (Rykin), and he said if both offers were the same, I might as well try Division I and see what I can do over there."

Rykin Enos was a walk-on member of UH's basketball team in 2009-2010.

Dyrbe Enos was a three-year starter for Kamehameha, helping the Warriors win the state championship in 2011 and reach the state title game in 2010. He averaged 18 points per game during this past Interscholastic League of Honolulu season and was regarded as one of the state's premier 3-point shooters.

Enos said he was contacted by the UH coaching staff two weeks ago and invited to a campus visit, during which he was given a tour of the facilities.

"They said I would have a spot on the team, but they couldn't promise any playing time," Enos said.

Enos said former Punahou standout Miah Ostrowski, a 5-9 point guard who started for Hawai'i the past two seasons, served as a positive role model for local players.

"Miah inspired me to try to compete at this level," Enos said.

Enos said he also gained confidence from playing in the College Basketball (formerly "NCAA") Summer League last year, during which he competed against several current and former Division I players.

"At first I was a little nervous and intimidated by the size and quickness, but as the season went on, I got better," Enos said. "By the end, I felt I could hang with them."